According to Wikipedia, a jester, court jester, fool or joker was a member of the household of a nobleman or a monarch employed to entertain guests during royal court. Jesters were also traveling performers who entertained common folk at fairs and town markets, and the discipline continues into the modern day, where jesters perform at historical-themed events. The court jester could speak freely about events without fear of offending the monarch.
Clowns are similar and come later. They appear in circus and rodeos. Among the most well-known today is Bozo, a television clown in mid 20th Century American television.
Sadly, the word also has a pejorative meaning of a foolish or ridiculous person. Read our blogs and let us know if you think we’re foolish or ridiculous.