Meanings
nounsock and buskin pl (plural only)
- pluralplural onlypoeticThe theatrical world.
- metonymicallypluralplural onlyentertainmentThe comedy and tragedy masks.
Synonyms: comedy and tragedy, Thalia and Melpomene
Synonyms & antonyms
nounThe comedy and tragedy masks.
Also see
Origin
Named from two ancient symbols of comedy and tragedy. In ancient Greek theatre, actors in tragic roles wore a boot called a buskin, while those in comedic roles wore a thin-soled "sock" or soccus.
Full word history & related roots →Translations
French socque et cothurne
- socque et cothurnefootwear symbolizing comedy and tragedy
Cite this entry
APA
sock and buskin. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sock%20and%20buskin
MLA
“sock and buskin.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sock%20and%20buskin. Accessed November 5, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “sock and buskin,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sock%20and%20buskin.
Source: sock and buskin on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.