Word of the Day: Unpacking 'Zanyism' – Playful, Foolish, and Amusing Behavior

• Zanyism describes playful, foolish, or oddly amusing behavior, often seen in casual speech.
• Pronounced 'zay-nee-iz-um', it refers to actions, speech, or situations that are openly silly and often unexpected.
• This type of humor is light-hearted, not serious or harmful, and often loud, physical, or slightly chaotic.
• The word originates from the Italian 'zanni', referring to comic servants in theatre, with '-ism' added later.
• It's used to describe comedy, entertainment, or individuals known for unusual, direct, and expressive humor.

Why It Matters: Zanyism defines light-hearted, openly silly, and often exaggerated behavior rooted in theatrical comedy.