Sannio
2 Sanniō, ōnis, m. , Sannion [esclave] : Ter.
Sa'nnio
a name of the buffoon in the mimes (Cic. de Orat. 2.61, ad Fam. 9.16.10), is derived by Diodorus (Excerpta Vat. p. 129, ed. Dindorf) from a Latin who bore this name. This, however, is inadmissible: it comes from sanna (Juv. 6.306; Pers. 1.62, 5.91). The Italian Zanni (hence our Zany) probably comes from Sannio.
Sannio
A name of the buffoon in the Roman mimes, derived from sanna (“a grimace”), whence come the Italian Zanni and our Zany (Cic. De Orat. ii. 61).