zanyhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zany_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezany, n. & adj.
Revised 2024

zanynoun & adjective

  1. noun
      1. 1.a.
        1582–
        Now frequently in form zanni. (The name of) a stock character in Italian commedia dell'arte, depicted as a male servant, valet, or porter from a poor rural background, typically characterized by cynicism, craftiness, ingenuity, and a love of mimicry and practical jokes, esp. directed at the arrogance or pretentiousness of his master. Also: an entertainer in a similar theatrical tradition who assists a mountebank (mountebank n. 1a) in his performance by attracting crowds and amusing the audience, esp. with slapstick and physical humour; cf. merry-andrew n. A.1a. Now chiefly historical.
        The traditional costume of the zanni in commedia dell'arte typically comprises baggy white clothing (originally made from sacking), a brimmed hat with long feathers, a half mask with a large nose, and often a fake beard.
        1. 1582
          There mounted, a Mountebanke..& with him a Zanni, and other Actors of pleasure.
          G. Whetstone, Heptameron of Ciuill Discourses iii. siɡ. L.iiiv
        2. 1596
          Here marcheth forth Scurilitie,..the first time he lookt out of Italy into England, it was in the habite of a Zani.
          T. Lodge, Wits Miserie 88
        3. 1652
          They go..in the disguise of a Zanni or Pantaloon to ventilate their fopperies.
          T. Urquhart, Εκσκυβαλαυρον 104
        4. 1682
          He may serve for some Zany to a Mountebank, to jest off Medicines for the Tooth-ach to the Rabble in Southwark.
          New News from Tory-Land 7
        5. 1765
          A mountebank-doctor, and his zany.
          C. Johnstone, Chrysal vol. IV. ii. xii. 230
        6. 1810
          There was a time, when we beheld the Quack, On public Stage, the licenc'd Tribe attack; He made his labour'd Speech with poor parade; And then a laughing Zany lent him aid.
          G. Crabbe, Borough vii. 95
        7. 1858
          One..is dressed as a Pierrot, one of those scaramouch clowns or zanies in white..whom the Italians introduced into France.
          Daily News 28 May 2/3
        8. 1916
          The zanni or zanies (Harlequin and Brighella) were obviously the sanniones or ancient buffoons.
          Times Literary Supplement 6 January 5/1
        9. 1990
          Each mountebank employed a zanni, a zany clown to pull in and please the crowd by his clever improvisations.
          A. Frost, Improvisation in Drama Introduction 8
        10. 2021
          The masked zanni and vecchi and the unmasked lovers were all considered to be masked characters.
          Renaissance & Reformation vol. 44 323
      2. 1.b.
        1600–
        A comic performer who acts as sidekick to a jester, clown, or acrobat, esp. one who imitates the actions of the main performer in a humorously clumsy way for comedic effect. Also more generally: a person employed as a jester, comedian, or clown. Now historical.
        1. 1600
          Hee's like a Zani to a Tumbler, That tries trickes after him to make men laugh.
          B. Jonson, Every Man out of his Humor iv. i. sig. Liiv
        2. 1783
          A zanny being one who was antiently entertained even in courts as a jester, in order to raise mirth and laughter in the company, either by his gestures, looks, or speeches.
          G. W. Lemon, English Etymology at Zanny
        3. 1848
          Those who had flattered him most when a king, were the loudest in their contempt, now that he was the court-zany.
          L. Hunt, Jar of Honey vi. 75
        4. 1883
          Everybody is good to the Court-fool, the zany!
          M. B. Betham-Edwards, Disarmed vol. I. viii. 97
        5. 1916
          It is possible for a sad and serious man to hide behind the bright paint of a circus-zany.
          Fordham Coll. Monthly June 94
        6. 1970
          The Shrine Circus performing elephants, the Russell Troupe, masters of the slender silver strand, and of course, the hilarious group of zanies and clowns who bring laughter to everyone.
          Antioch (Illinois) News 3 May 2/2
        7. 2010
          The curtain being parted at the opening of the ballet by the melancholy clown and the Zany, who imitated many of the acts with nimble glee.
          A. Brissenden & K. Glennon, Australian Dances 158
      1. 2.a.
        1594–1911
        † An attendant, follower, or assistant to a more powerful person, esp. one regarded as servile or obsequious; a hanger-on; a toady. Usually derogatory, and often with direct reference to sense A.1a. Obsolete (archaic in later use).
        Occasionally also in figurative use.
        1. 1594
          All being snatcht vp by the sicknesse but the good wife of the house, a noble and chast matrone called Heraclide and her Zanie, and I & my curtizan.
          T. Nashe, Vnfortunate Traveller sig K2v
        2. 1601
          I pray thee be acquainted with my two Zanies [1616 iii. i. 60 hang-by's] heere.
          B. Jonson, Every Man in his Humor ii. iii. sig. E3
        3. 1673
          The Directory, and the geud Covenant, (its zanee).
          E. Hickeringill, Gregory 50
        4. 1746
          To shine confess'd her zany and her tool, And fall by what I rose, low ridicule.
          T. Smollett, Advice 181
        5. 1760
          On the address Pitt and his zany Beckford quarreled.
          H. Walpole, Letter 24 November in Correspondence (1941) vol. IX. 325
        6. 1817
          The Mountebanks and Zanies of Patriotism.
          S. T. Coleridge, Blessed are Ye that Sow 24
        7. 1880
          St. John was not content to be a mere zany, he aspired to rival his master as a wit, and to outstrip him as a libertine.
          Quarterly Review January 14
        8. 1911
          To figure as a zany of a peer.
          Athenæum 25 March 343/3
      2. 2.b.
        1601–1730
        † An imitator; a mimic; esp. a person who imitates another person's actions in an inferior or ridiculous way. Cf. sense A.1b. Obsolete.
        1. 1601
          The other gallant is his Zani, & doth most of these tricks after him; sweats to imitate him in euery thing (to a haire) except a Beard, which is not yet extant.
          B. Jonson, Fountaine of Selfe-love ii. iii. sig. D4v
        2. 1692
          They are for persecuting Horace and Virgil, in the persons of their Successors... Some of their little Zanies yet go farther; for they are Persecutors even of Horace himself.
          J. Dryden, All for Love (new edition) Preface sig. b3v
        3. 1730
          Their little Zanies about the Country have learnt their Cant.
          Flying Post 22 December
      3. 2.c.
        1606–
        A person who resembles or acts like a clown or buffoon; a person who plays the fool for the amusement of others; a joker. Now rare.
        Occasionally also in figurative use.
        1. 1606
          Goe too you French Zanies you.
          G. Chapman, Sir Gyles Goosecappe iii. sig. D4v
        2. 1729
          Oh great Restorer of the good old Stage, Preacher at once, and Zany of thy Age!
          A. Pope, Dunciad (new edition) iii. 202
        3. 1846
          He [sc. Sydney Smith]..was a West-end chapel preacher,..a lecturer in Albemarle-street, and Zany to Holland-house.
          Eclectic Review June 662
        4. 1929
          A burly wind playing the zany In fields of barleycorn.
          C. Day-Lewis, Transitional Poem i. 11
        5. 1976
          Death of the early morning hero. Episodes of a zany in love.
          G. Langford (title)
      4. 2.d.
        1709–
        A person who behaves in a foolish or ridiculous manner; (now) esp. a person whose behaviour is considered to be wildly irrational, erratic, or absurd. Formerly also: †a person who is made to appear foolish; a laughing stock (obsolete).
        1. 1709
          The dull Fraternity, thro' want of a merry Zany to exercise their Lungs with a little seasonable Laughter, and unhappily neglecting to be Shav'd and Blooded, fell into such a fit of the Melancholly Dumps, that several of the Order were in great danger of a Straw-Bed and a Dark-Room.
          E. Ward, Secret History of Clubs iii. 31
        2. a1784
          The lady asked me for no other purpose than to make a Zany of me.
          S. Johnson in R. Cumberland, Memoirs (1806) vol. I. 263
        3. 1847
          The printers are awful zanies, they print erasures and corrections too, and other sins they commit of the utmost inhumanity.
          H. Tennyson, Letter ?25 May (1982) vol. I. 275
        4. 1898
          The heaven that would answer a call of that kind would be a heaven for zanies and tom-fools!
          T. Watts-Dunton, Aylwin iii. i. 131
        5. 1925
          They were probably smoking alongside of petroleum like a bunch of zanies.
          Enid (Oklahoma) Daily Eagle 11 August 4/2
        6. 1975
          It was no home grown effort, no bunch of zanies out to wreck the alliance, but a careful set of professionals.
          N. Carter, Executioners v. 95
        7. 2005
          Or, maybe, find crazies and zanies saying absolutely nothing sensible to those, like me, still on the far side of paradise?
          J. O'Donnell, Walking with Arthur vii. 93
  2. adjective
    1. 1.
      1616–18
      † Of or relating to imitation or mimicry; (also) that imitates or mimics. Obsolete.
      1. 1616
        Like a gorgeous robe, Purl'd ore with natures Ape, and Zany-art.
        R. Anton, Philosophers Satyrs sig. C2
      2. 1618
        Nor Britaines Odcomb (Zanye braue Vlissis) In all his ambling saw the like as this is.
        J. Taylor, Pennyles Pilgrimage E 2
    2. 2.
      1869–
      Of a person: characterized by behaviour typical of a zany; esp. behaving in a foolish, ridiculous, or wildly irrational manner. Also: (of an action) characteristic of a zany. Now rare.
      1. 1869
        He will make some of your zany squires shake in their shoes.
        R. D. Blackmore, Lorna Doone vol. I. xv. 176
      2. 1890
        Your zany doings have shut every other door against you.
        H. Caine, Bondman vol. II. ii. 38
      3. 1918
        Before Shakespear touched Hamlet there was a zany Hamlet who mopped and mowed.
        G. B. Shaw in Nation 22 June 308/2
      4. 1978
        Some proponents of capital punishment felt the Court had finally gone zany.
        L. A. Stevens, Death Penalty xiv. 140
    3. 3.
      1937–
      Surprising or unusual in a way which is regarded as amusing, entertaining, or playful; imaginatively unconventional or idiosyncratic.
      1. 1937
        Mike and his orchestra..have delighted swing-lovers with their rhythm and zany antics.
        Brooklyn (New York) Times Union 5 January (Late News edition) 7a/2
      2. 1959
        Luncheon-mats of the subtlest as well as the zaniest designs.
        House & Garden June 76
      3. 1983
        A sympathetic spirit able to appreciate his more characteristic and zany vein of humour.
        D. Cecil, Portrait of Lamb ii. ii. 143
      4. 2023
        Parnham's zany antics made headlines.
        Baltimore Sun 21 March 3/2

zany, n. & adj. was revised in March 2024.

zany, n. & adj. was last modified in December 2024.