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- Dictionarylaughing stock/ˈlɑːfɪŋ ˌstɒk/
noun
- 1. a person or thing subjected to general mockery or ridicule: "I'd be the laughing stock of the school"
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What's the origin of the phrase Laughing-stock? Laughing-stock is now usually written as a single hyphenated word, but it was previously the two-word phrase, ‘laughing stock’. It’s moderately old and there are at least two citations of it dating back to the 16th century.
The origin of this phrase can be traced back to ancient Rome, where it was believed that when an actor failed to entertain the audience, they would be pelted with rotten vegetables and eggs. This practice continued throughout history, and eventually became associated with anyone who failed to meet expectations or perform up to par.
Origin. The phrase began as two words but is now used as a single hyphenated word too. It is an old phrase with two citations in the year 1533. First was in John Frith’s ‘An other boke against Rastel’ and the second use was in ‘An apologie for poetrie” by Sir Philip Sidney.
Feb 4, 2022 · laughing-stock. (n.) also laughingstock; 1510s, formed by analogy with whipping-stock "whipping post," later also "object of frequent whipping" (but that word is not attested in writing in this sense until 1670s). See laughing + stock (n.1).
The term laughing stock, or laughing-stock, is an analogous term that provides a comparative link between the word and specific human behaviors. A laughing stock is someone who is made sport of and is subjected to mockery, ridicule or humiliation.
The term 'A laughing stock' was first used in 862, then used by Shakespeare in The Merry Wives of Windsor. The phrase relates to being persecuted by the mockery.
The person who is the laughing stock is exactly that - the supplier of laughs. If somebody wants to cheer themselves up or have a good laugh, they get/take it from the laughing stock - the person labelled and identified as such.
