Hello.
The term is actually "Merry-Andrew."
"Merry-andrew
(Mer"ry-an"drew) n. One whose business is to make sport for others; a
buffoon; a zany; especially, one who attends a mountebank or quack
doctor.
This term is said to have originated from one Andrew Borde, an
English physician of the 16th century, who gained patients by
facetious speeches to the multitude."
source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, hosted by bootlegbooks.com
http://www.bootlegbooks.com/Reference/Webster/data/974.html
"Merry Andrew
So called from Andrew Borde, physician to Henry VIII., etc. To vast
learning he added great eccentricity, and in order to instruct the
people used to address them at fairs and other crowded places in a
very ad captandum way. Those who imitated his wit and drollery, though
they possessed not his genius, were called Merry Andrews, a term now
signifying a clown or buffoon. Andrew Borde Latinised his name into
Andreas Perforatus. (1500-1549.) Prior has a poem on ?Merry Andrew.?
The above is the usual explanation given of this phrase; but
Andrew is a common name in old plays for a varlet or manservant, as
Abigail is for a waiting gentlewoman."
source: Brewer Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, hosted by bootlegbooks.com
http://www.bootlegbooks.com/Reference/PhraseAndFable/data/831.html
"Definition:[n] a person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior
This term is said to have originated from one Andrew Borde, an
English physician of the 16th century, who gained patients by
facetious speeches to the multitude."
source: hyperdictionary.com
http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/merry-andrew
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search strategy:
"kate and leopold" "mary andrew"
http://pub122.ezboard.com/fwordoriginsorgfrm5.showMessage?topicID=293.topic
"merry andrew"
"merry andrew" "andrew borde"
I hope this helps. |
