skomorokh

English

Skomorokhs in a village

Etymology

Borrowed from Russian скоморох (skomorox), from Old East Slavic скоморохъ (skomoroxŭ), of unknown origin. Possibly from Ancient Greek σκώμμαρχος (skṓmmarkhos, “joke leader”) (σκῶμμα (skômma)+ἀρχός (arkhós)) or from Italian scaramuccia.

Noun

skomorokh (plural skomorokhs)

1. (historical) A medieval East Slavic actor or harlequin

Further reading

• skomorokh on Wikipedia.Wikipedia