ridiculum

laughing matter, joke

1 / 1

An older woman points at a middle-aged man's crooked handmade paper crown and laughs scornfully; he holds the crown in place with lowered eyes and an embarrassed, tight expression.

noun / verb

ridicule

RID-i-kyool/ˈrɪdɪkjuːl/

Mockery that makes someone or something seem foolish.

Etymology

ridiculeLatinlaughing matter, joke

Latin ridiculum, “a laughing matter,” is a possible direct source. The English noun shifted from an object of mockery to the scornful laughter, words, or actions directed at it.

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ridicule