..
While I personally had never before heard of this term, I got several "hits,"
including an American (I think) movie with this as the title! Who do you think
played the buffoon, the clown? None other than Danny Kaye, I would assume, for
he was listed as the star actor, and such a role would be right up his alley.
Come to think of it, I doubt if I ever saw him play anything BUT a clown....





It's still used. Example: When Nick needs reinforcement, his Merry
Andrew, Trollsby, often provides a diversion.


Very astute. The quack doctor, Nick, and his merry assistant, Trollsby, are
quite a pair. But here in America, this term seems to have pretty much
bitten the dust.