Editing Motley

{{short description|Traditional costume of a court jester}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{ref improve|date=April 2015}}
{{notability|date=August 2022}}
}}
[[File:Motley (PSF).png|thumb|419x419px|Illustration of a person dressed in motley]]
'''Motley''' is the traditional [[costume]] of the [[Jester|court jester]], the motley fool, or the arlecchino character in ''[[commedia dell'arte]]''. The [[harlequin]] wears a patchwork of red, green and blue diamonds that is still{{cn|date=April 2017}} a [[fashion]] motif.

The word ''motley'' is described in the [[Oxford English Dictionary]] as a [[cognate]] of ''medley'', although the unrelated ''mottled'' has also contributed to the meaning.  The word is most commonly used as an [[adjective]] or [[noun]], but is also seen as a [[verb]] and [[adverb]].  When used as a noun, it can mean "a varied mixture". As an adjective, it is generally disparaging: a ''motley collection'' is an uninspiring pile of stuff, as in the cliché [[wikt:motley crew|motley crew]].

The word originated in England between the 14th and 17th centuries and referred to a [[wool]]len fabric of mixed colours.<ref>Apparel Search Glossary [https://www.apparelsearch.com/glossary_m_3.htm] Retrieved on: 15 Jan 2020</ref> It was the characteristic dress of the professional fool. During the reign of [[Elizabeth I of England|Elizabeth I]], motley served the important purpose of keeping the fool outside the social hierarchy and therefore not subject to class distinction. Since the fool was outside the  [[sumptuary law|dress laws]], the fool was able to speak more freely. 

Likewise, motley did not have to be checkered and has been recently thought to be one pattern with different coloured threads running through it.

{{quote|Motley is the only wear.|Shakespeare|[[As You Like It]], ii. 7}}

==See also==
* [[Clown]]
* [[Harlequin]]
* [[Jester]]
* [[Shakespearean fool]]
* [[Trickster]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* National Guild of Jesters (UK) [http://www.jonathanthejester.org.uk/motley.html Hall of Fame]. Various examples of motley.

{{Clowns}}

[[Category:History of clothing (Western fashion)]]
[[Category:Clowning]]