Silly Billy was a type ofclown common atfairs inEngland during the 19th century. They were also common inLondon asstreet entertainers, along with the similar clown, Billy Barlow.[1] The act included playing the part of a fool or idiot, impersonating a child and singingcomic songs.[2] The role was typically played as astooge to another clown.[3]
The name is popular because of its nicerhyme[4] and was used as a generic nickname for foolish people, especially those namedWilliam such asPrince William Frederick[5] andKing William IV.[6][7] The nickname was popularised in the 1970s by impressionistMike Yarwood, putting it in the mouth of the chancellor,Denis Healey, who took the catchphrase up and used it as his own.[8]
In 1850, the costume of a Silly Billy was short, white trousers with a long whitepinafore, white shoes with a strap around the ankle, red sleeves, aruff around the neck, and a boy's cap. The hair or wig was arranged to stick out behind the ears. Red makeup was daubed to emphasise the nose with two smears of black for the eyebrows. Multiple pairs of white trousers were needed because women liked to tease the clown by smearinggingerbread or sticking pins into his legs so that they bled.[9]
Comic routines included amesmerism act in which Silly Billy was hypnotised, a parody of a preacher giving asermon, and a parody of atemperance campaign.[9] Comic songs includedO'ive getten a Soft Pleace i' my Yead andDolly and the Swill Tub.[10]
The wages of a Silly Billy at the time were about two or threehalf-crowns per day, averaging about a pound a week, over the year. About a dozen performers made their living in this way in the London area.[9]
The fairground Silly Billy was a comedian's stooge, underdog to his clowning, played as a juvenile part.
{{citation}}:Missing or empty|title= (help)the general opinion was that he was rather a fool – 'Silly Billy' was the inevitable nickname
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