ENGLISH CIRCUS SLANG

There are differences between American and English circus slang...so if American readers come across some puzzling terms, this little guide may help....

Tober: campground

Props: properties, equipment used in the acts

Tentment: roustabouts

Tilt: the Big Top, the “roof” of the tent.

King Poles: The main, highest poles

Quarter Poles: The secondary poles that support the tent

Side poles: the poles (around 7ft high) that support the sides of the tent

Wallings: The canvas walls of the tent

Lacing: Rope loops that hold sections of canvas together. Buildup: Putting up the tent. Pull down: Pulling down the tent

Omey: a man

Palone: a woman

Dukkerin: a fairground term, fortune telling

Chavvie: a child

Prad: a horse

Dinari: money

When the Ghost Walks: also a theatre term…pay day

Jossers, flatties: non circus people

Mr and Mrs Wood and all the little Woods: empty seats in a house.

Paper House: show where most of the patrons came in on free tickets.

Risley act: foot jugglers.

Slack wire: a low wire act in which the wire is not taut.

Heath Robertson: A repair cobbled together

Panatrope: Non live music (tape or record player and speakers)

Candy Floss: Cotton Candy

Ring Doors: Where the arists enter the ring and wait for their turns.

Go To Page: 1

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic