sock and buskin

English

Etymology

Named from two ancient symbols of comedy and tragedy. In ancient Greek theatre, actors in tragic roles wore a boot called a buskin, while those in comedic roles wore a thin-soled "sock" or soccus.

Noun

sock and buskin pl (plural only)

  1. (poetic) The theatrical world.
  2. (theater, metonymic) The comedy and tragedy masks.
    Synonyms: comedy and tragedy, Thalia and Melpomene
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