Pickelhering

thumb|Title woodcut of ''Pickelhering's Wedding, 1752 Pickelhering or Pickelhäring was the nickname given to the comic stock character or stage buffoon in English comedy troupes that travelled through Germany in the 17th century. The term literally meant "pickled herring".

As with wurst ("sausage") in the name, Hanswurst, the figure of fun in 18th century German travelling theatres, or potage ("soup") in the name, Jean Potage, its French equivalent, the name refers to the everyday fare of the common people as opposed to the fine food of court society. Pickelhering is thus a servant figure in contrast to the high-ranking characters of the Haupt-und-Staatsaktions, the German dramas performed by such theatres. The name also alludes to the greediness that has characterized comic characters since Aristophanes.