Is one's actions deliberate if they're described as “playing/acting the fool?”

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I apologize if the above wording was confusing. Basically what I'm trying to ask is if one is described as "playing/acting the fool" does the automatically mean that they are only pretending to be be foolish or can it also mean that someone is foolish without realizing that they are behaving as such?
meaning phrases idioms usage
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I apologize if the above wording was confusing. Basically what I'm trying to ask is if one is described as "playing/acting the fool" does the automatically mean that they are only pretending to be be foolish or can it also mean that someone is foolish without realizing that they are behaving as such?
meaning phrases idioms usage
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I think 'fool' in this context has its old meaning of 'jester' rather than 'foolish person'. All the online dictionaries seem to agree that 'playing the fool' is done to amuse others.
– Kate Bunting
yesterday
Try looking at definitions for "play" and "act" and see if this answers your question. If not, edit in the definitions and explain why they don't.
– AndyT
yesterday
add a comment |
up vote
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up vote
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down vote
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I apologize if the above wording was confusing. Basically what I'm trying to ask is if one is described as "playing/acting the fool" does the automatically mean that they are only pretending to be be foolish or can it also mean that someone is foolish without realizing that they are behaving as such?
meaning phrases idioms usage
New contributor
Guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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I apologize if the above wording was confusing. Basically what I'm trying to ask is if one is described as "playing/acting the fool" does the automatically mean that they are only pretending to be be foolish or can it also mean that someone is foolish without realizing that they are behaving as such?
meaning phrases idioms usage
meaning phrases idioms usage
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Guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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New contributor
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1
I think 'fool' in this context has its old meaning of 'jester' rather than 'foolish person'. All the online dictionaries seem to agree that 'playing the fool' is done to amuse others.
– Kate Bunting
yesterday
Try looking at definitions for "play" and "act" and see if this answers your question. If not, edit in the definitions and explain why they don't.
– AndyT
yesterday
add a comment |
1
I think 'fool' in this context has its old meaning of 'jester' rather than 'foolish person'. All the online dictionaries seem to agree that 'playing the fool' is done to amuse others.
– Kate Bunting
yesterday
Try looking at definitions for "play" and "act" and see if this answers your question. If not, edit in the definitions and explain why they don't.
– AndyT
yesterday
1
1
I think 'fool' in this context has its old meaning of 'jester' rather than 'foolish person'. All the online dictionaries seem to agree that 'playing the fool' is done to amuse others.
– Kate Bunting
yesterday
I think 'fool' in this context has its old meaning of 'jester' rather than 'foolish person'. All the online dictionaries seem to agree that 'playing the fool' is done to amuse others.
– Kate Bunting
yesterday
Try looking at definitions for "play" and "act" and see if this answers your question. If not, edit in the definitions and explain why they don't.
– AndyT
yesterday
Try looking at definitions for "play" and "act" and see if this answers your question. If not, edit in the definitions and explain why they don't.
– AndyT
yesterday
add a comment |
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1
I think 'fool' in this context has its old meaning of 'jester' rather than 'foolish person'. All the online dictionaries seem to agree that 'playing the fool' is done to amuse others.
– Kate Bunting
yesterday
Try looking at definitions for "play" and "act" and see if this answers your question. If not, edit in the definitions and explain why they don't.
– AndyT
yesterday