Buskins

Entertainment / Literature / Buskins: Originally called kothorni in Greek, the word buskins is a Renaissance term for the elegantly laced boots worn by actors in ancient Greek tragedy. The buskins later became elevator shoes that made the actor wearing them unusually tall to emphasize the royal status or importance of the character. Contrast with soccus.
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Soccus

Entertainment / Literature / Soccus: A soft shoe worn by actors in Latin comedies, in contrast with the buskins or kothorni worn in tragedies. Our modern English word sock comes from this term. Often, the word sock is used a metonym for MORE

Cothurni

Entertainment / Literature / Cothurni: The Greek word for the elevator-shoes worn by important actors on stage. See discussion under buskins. MORE