Motley

The harlequin wears a patchwork of red, green and blue diamonds that is still[citation needed] a fashion motif.

The word motley is described in the Oxford English Dictionary as a cognate of medley, although the unrelated mottled has also contributed to the meaning.

The word originated in England between the 14th and 17th centuries and referred to a woollen fabric of mixed colours.

During the reign of Elizabeth I, motley served the important purpose of keeping the fool outside the social hierarchy and therefore not subject to class distinction.

Likewise, motley did not have to be checkered and has been recently thought to be one pattern with different coloured threads running through it.