A foolish or conceited man, especially one who is vain about his appearance or achievements.
Originally from 'cock's comb' (the red crest on a rooster's head), referencing the colorful cap worn by medieval court jesters; the term evolved to mean a jester or fool, then a vain fool.
The word started as a real physical object—the red comb on a rooster's head—which jesters wore in their caps, and over centuries it became an insult for anyone acting like a peacock about their looks or intelligence.
Originally a cap worn by male court jesters in Renaissance Europe; repurposed to describe a foolish, vain man. The term persistently refers to male vanity and foolishness while female equivalents ('coquette') focus on seduction rather than folly.
Use 'vain person' or 'fool' to describe behavior-not-gender. If historical context matters, specify 'historically a male jester's term.'
["vain person","fool","show-off","buffoon"]
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