Clownage

/ˈklaʊnɪdʒ/ noun

Definition

The behavior, conduct, or practices characteristic of a clown; foolish or ridiculous behavior treated as a systematic activity.

Etymology

From clown + -age (a suffix meaning 'a system, practice, or collection of,' as in baggage, vintage, or heritage). Medieval and early modern word formation creating abstract nouns from concrete ones.

Kelly Says

The '-age' suffix is amazingly productive in English—add it to almost any noun and you've got a new abstract concept. 'Clownage' sounds Shakespearean because it kind of is—writers in that era loved inventing these words.

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