humorist

the word 'humorist' is a relatively modern formation, built upon the earlier english word 'humor'. this base term traces back to latin 'humor', meaning 'liquid, moisture'. in medieval and renaissance physiological theory, the four cardinal bodily fluids or 'humors' (blood, phlegm, black bile, yellow bile) were believed to determine a person's temperament and health. from this, 'humor' evolved to mean 'state of mind, disposition', and eventually, by the late 16th century, it took on the sense of 'caprice, whim', and later 'that which excites amusement'. the agent suffix '-ist', indicating one who practices or is concerned with something, was attached in the 17th century to create 'humorist', literally meaning 'one concerned with humor', specifically a person who creates or exhibits comical qualities.

Structure: humor + ist humor (from latin 'humor', meaning 'moisture, fluid'; later 'temperament, mood' via medieval physiology) + ist (from latin '-ista', from greek '-istēs', a noun-forming suffix denoting an agent or practitioner)