Wordology, Sock and Buskin

The sock and buskin are the two masks, usually seen together that symbolize the world of theater/drama or comedians and actors. They represent the ancient symbols of comedy and tragedy.

In Greek theater, actors in tragic roles wore a boot called a buskin that elevated them above the other actors. The actors with comedic roles wore a thin soled shoe called a sock.

Interesting to know that street buskers, although entertainers, get their name from a different source, busk from Italian buscare to procure, gain, or from Spanish buscar to look for. The term is not related to the buskin mask above.  LINK