clown
\ ' klau ? n\
Etymology:probably of Low German origin; akin to Frisian klönne clumsy fellow, Old English clyne lump of metal
Date:1563
1 : farmer, countryman 2 : a rude ill-bred person : boor 3 a : a fool, jester, or comedian in an entertainment (as a play) ; specifically : a grotesquely dressed comedy performer in a circus b : a person who habitually jokes and plays the buffoon c : joker
definition from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clown
Clowns appear in many cultures around the world in some form. This ranges from the traditional Whitefaced clown of North America to the Pierrot of France and the Clown Societies of Native American cultures. Although the clown is typically a jovial character; intrinisic to his character is a subversion of reality. This subversive nature is central especially in the usage of the clown in the movies discussed in this study.
link to list of movies dealing with clowns