A jester was a professional entertainer who worked in the courts of kings and nobles during medieval times, roughly from the 1200s to the 1600s. Jesters told jokes, performed acrobatic tricks, juggled, sang silly songs, and acted out funny skits to amuse royalty and their guests. They wore colorful, distinctive costumes, often with bells on their hats and pointed shoes, making them instantly recognizable.

What made jesters unusual was their special freedom to mock and tease even the most powerful people. A jester could make jokes about the king himself, something that would get anyone else thrown in prison. This freedom existed because humor allowed jesters to point out uncomfortable truths that advisors were too afraid to mention. A clever jester might joke about a bad decision the king had made, using laughter to deliver criticism that would otherwise be dangerous.

The most famous jester in literature appears in Shakespeare's play King Lear, where the king's jester tries to help him see his mistakes through riddles and wordplay. Not all jesters were wise, though. Many were simply talented comedians who made their living through entertainment.

Today, when we call someone a court jester or class jester, we usually mean they're always joking around and trying to make people laugh, but without the medieval jester's deeper role as a truth-teller.