noun
butt
A person or thing that jokes or ridicule are directed at.
He becomes the butt of the office jokes.
Etymology
The older word names a goal or target. The person who is the butt of a joke is figuratively its target, receiving the ridicule as a target receives shots.
More examples
- The comedian made herself the butt of the joke.
- Their old car was the butt of endless teasing.
- Nobody wanted to be the butt of his ridicule.
Forms
butt · butts
Similar words
- target
- A broader term for someone singled out for attack or attention.
- laughingstock
- Someone widely regarded as ridiculous.