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The eminent NSB attempted to insult me in a T&R posing by calling me a "buffoon." Much to his surprise, I gladly accept this title!

You see, a buffoon is one who amuses through mildly inappropriate jests and antics; the term has little to do with intelligence. Etymologically, it actually derives from the French word "bouffon" (= a jest/jester), and is related to "buffare" (= to puff).

One may consider the term "fool" to be synonymous with "buffoon," but this would be the medieval or renaissance fool - not the modern "fool." In those periods, the best fools were very sharp-witted, and were often trickster figures. Fools were also generally truth tellers, and were often the only ones allowed to speak the unmitigated truth in the king's presence. At times, fools were believed to understand and perceive reality on a level superior to that of other men.

We should also consider the so-called buffoon-bird. Although English sailors once thought its antics to be ridiculous, the French saw in its movements a particular gracefulness (and called it the Demoiselle, or Lady). This highlights the importance of perception: look beyond your own biases and interpretations before determining that someone is a "buffoon" - and for goodness sake, at least get a REAL insult!

So, yes, I am a buffoon in the sense that I joke and entertain - and I do so by speaking the truth in an intelligent and witty (f somewhat inappropriate and offensive) manner. Perhaps some may think my smack-talk is ridiculous (though well-supported by my team's on-field results), but others recognize a particular gracefulness in my own brand of truth telling.

Now, worthy citizens of FanNation, I urge you to post here your own cleverly constructed "insults" (or "compliments," if you prefer!) to each other. Write nuanced phrases that SEEM to say one thing on the surface, but in reality accomplish the opposite. Stretch those intellectual "muscles" - and have fun teasing your rivals!