zany: [16] Zany originated as the name of a character in the old Italian commedia dell’arte, who tried, rather feebly, to mimic the antics of the clown. It came from Italian Zanni, a Venetian and Lombardic variant of Gianni, the pet form of Giovanni (the Italian equivalent of English John). Its meaning was broadened out to ‘buffoon’ in the 17th century, but it does not seem to have really established itself as an adjective until the mid 19th century. => john
zany (n.)
comic performer, 1580s, from French zani, from Italian zani, zanni "a zany, clown," originally Zanni, Venetian dialect variant of Gianni, pet form of Giovanni "John;" thus equivalent to English Jack. A stock character in old comedies, he aped the principal actors.
zany (adj.)
1610s, from zany (n.). Related: Zanily; zaniness.
双语例句
1. Michael made us all laugh with his zany tricks.
迈克尔玩儿弄各种可笑的把戏把我们都逗笑了.
来自《简明英汉词典》
2. She made us all laugh with her zany tricks.
她那些滑稽的恶作剧逗得我们都大笑起来.
来自辞典例句
3. He tried lecturing in California again with great success in the style of zany inconsequence.
他在加州讲演,又非常成功,用的噱头也是模仿丑角的滑稽.
来自辞典例句
4. He tried lecturing in California, again with great success, in the Ward style of zany inconsequence.
他在加州讲演, 又非常成功, 用的噱头也是模仿沃德的.
来自辞典例句
5. Is that zany approach an advantage for you or for your viewers?