comedy of errors meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

comedy of errors

noun

UK /ˌkɒmɪdi əv ˈɛɹəz/ · US /ˌkɑmədi əv ˈɛɹəɹz/

Etymology From comedy + of + errors, probably coined by the English playwright William Shakespeare (c. 1564 – 1616) as the title of the play The Comedy of Errors (written c. 1594; published 1623), about two sets of identical twins separated at birth who are involved in a series of mistaken identities.

Broadcasting, Film, Media, Television Also A comedy in which the humour is due to misinterpretations, mistaken identity, etc.

[I]n ſome comedyes of Errors, […] the Miſtres and the Maide change habits […]1605, Francis Bacon, “The Second Booke”, in The Twoo Bookes of Francis Bacon. Of the Proficience and Aduancement of Learning, Diuine and Humane, London: […] [Thomas Purfoot and Thomas Creede] for Henrie Tomes, […], →OCLC, folio 62, verso:
VVhat Comedies of errors ſvvell the ſtage / VVith your moſt publike vices, vvhen the age / Dares perſonate in action, for, your eies / Ranke Sceanes of your luſt-ſvveating qualities: […]1616, Robert Anton, “The Phylosophers Fift Satyr of Venus”, in The Philosophers Satyrs, London: […] T[homas] C[reede] and B[ernard] A[lsop] for Robert Iackson, […], →OCLC, page 51:

2 more examples

[S]uch a comedy of errors, brought about by back doors, private ſtair-caſes, and falſe keys, might pleaſe the romantic taſte of the Spaniards, but vvill never bear the teſt of Engliſh criticiſm.1767, “The Perplexities: A Comedy”, in The Theatrical Campaign, for MDCCLXVI and MDCCLXVII. […], London: […] S. Bladon, […], →OCLC, pages 10–11:
'The Comedy of Humours' would have been a suitable name for it [William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream (written 1595 or 1596)], as a companion piece to 'The Comedy of Errors'; for it is just a comedy of errors, with the element of humours or fancies added.1904, C[harles] Creighton, “[Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of] Southampton as Collaborator, 1594–1597”, in Shakespeare’s Story of His Life, London: Grant Richards, →OCLC, book II (Prospero’s Story of His Life), page 230:

Broadly, Idiomatic A series of amusing or farcical events involving awkward missteps or other mistakes.

It ſhall not be amiſſe (for him that vvill read) firſt to beholde this ſhort Comedy of Errors, and vvhere the greateſt enter, to giue them inſtead of a hiſſe, a gentle correction.1601 (first performance), Thomas Dekker, “Ad Lectorem”, in Satiro-mastix. Or The Untrussing of the Humorous Poet. […], London: […] [Edward Allde] for Edward White, […], published 1602, →OCLC, signatures [A3], verso – K4, recto:
I think I have seen such comedies of errors going on in the world.1847 January – 1848 July, William Makepeace Thackeray, “Sentimental and Otherwise”, in Vanity Fair […], London: Bradbury and Evans […], published 1848, →OCLC, page 108:

4 more examples

[I]t's the poor Le Bretons who have brought us two thus together. And yet, they were both once our dearest rivals. You were in love with Edie Le Breton: I was half in love with Ernest Le Breton: and now—why, now, Arthur, I do believe we're both utterly in love with one another. What a curious little comedy of errors!1884, Cecil Power [pseudonym; Grant Allen], “Land at Last: But What Land”, in Philistia […], volume III, London: Chatto & Windus, […], →OCLC, page 277:
By that time those who had remained so long began to view the game as what it really was, a comedy of errors, and got lots of fun out of it.1914, Ralph Henry Barbour, “Sawyer Vows Revenge”, in Left End Edwards, New York, N.Y.: Dodd, Mead and Company, →OCLC, page 158:
Reference to Flamborough brings to mind an amusing comedy of errors, which although not strictly a matter of station-naming, at least concerns station names. The actual name was Marton for Flamborough, and, by some error, it appeared in Bradshaw, at the end of 1858, as Marton from Flamborough. After two or three months, this was evidently noticed, and instructions given to correct it, but unfortunately the correction appeared as Marton or Flamborough, which remained undetected for several months more.1951 March, M. D. Greville, “The Nomenclature of Railway Stations”, in The Railway Magazine, London: Tothill Press, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 192:
What follows is a painful comedy of errors. Almost from her arrival she is pursued by a bellhop who interprets her every rebuff as a coy invitation.1965 June 3, Eliot Fremont-Smith, “Books: A way back to life [review of August Is a Wicked Month (1965) by Edna O’Brien]”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 18 May 2017:

Related terms: parade of horribles, parade of horrors