A person who kids or teases others in a playful, good-natured way. Someone who engages in light-hearted joking or gentle mockery without malicious intent.
From 'kid' (to tease playfully) + '-er' (agent suffix). The verb 'to kid' emerged in American English around 1900, possibly from 'kid' (young goat), suggesting playful, innocent behavior like a young animal. The agent noun 'kidder' followed naturally.
The transformation of 'kid' from 'baby goat' to 'playful teasing' reflects how we associate young animals with innocent mischief. Professional comedians are essentially professional kidders, but the term suggests a more amateur, friendly approach to humor than 'comedian'!
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