JONGLEUR

TileHead’s Word of the Day for 27 June 2011

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JONGLEUR  (n. pl. -S)

Definition(s):

1. (n.) a traveling minstrel or public performer, especially one in medieval France

Useful information for game players:

• Front hooks: (none)
• Back hooks: -S
• Anagrams: (none)
• Longer extensions: (none)
• Wraparounds: (none)
• Other Spellings: (none)
• Related Forms: (none)

Epilogue:
This word transports us back to the streets and marketplaces of medieval Europe, where public entertainment often consisted of a melange of music, poetry, drama, and physical acts of spectacle and comedy.  JONGLEURS, for example, variously sang, danced, told stories, performed acrobatics and juggling, and recited verses such as FABLIAUX (short narratives with comic or bawdy elements).  The word is etymologically related to JUGGLER, which derives from the Latin joculator, “joker or jester.”

This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter J

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