For more than 146 years, the Barnum and Bailey Circus, sometimes referred to as “The Greatest Show on Earth,” was a cherished American custom. P.T. Barnum and James A. Bailey started it in 1871, and the Ringling Brothers Circus finally absorbed it in 1919. However, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus owners announced in 2017 that they would be permanently closing the circus, bringing an end to an era.
Regarding this, there are numerous circus idioms that have entered our vernacular. The most well-known of them is perhaps “The show must go on,” which highlights the value of tenacity and resolve in the face of difficulty. Other common circus expressions include “clowning around,” which indicates to act dumb or goofy, and “the big top,” which refers to the huge tent where the circus shows take place.
The ringmaster will typically remark, “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, thank you for joining us tonight,” at the conclusion of a circus performance. We sincerely hope you had a good visit, and we hope to see you soon. This short sentence serves as a means to thank the audience for their support and invite them to return for subsequent performances.
The Barnum and Bailey Circus may no longer exist, but the carnival business is still thriving. Usually, independent operators that go from town to town setting up rides, games, and food kiosks for communities’ entertainment run carnivals. With roots in the early 19th century, the carnival industry has a long and colorful history.
Circus acrobats are expert performers who focus on performing acrobatic feats like aerial tricks, balancing routines, and contortions. For these performers to effectively complete their routines, they need to have extraordinary strength, coordination, and flexibility. A major aspect of many circus shows, circus acrobatics are frequently the show’s high point.
In conclusion, even though the Barnum and Bailey Circus is no longer around, its influence can still be felt today thanks to the numerous cultural references, proverbs, and traditions it left behind. It doesn’t matter if you enjoy acrobatics, clowns, or just the excitement of the circus—this distinctly American art form has a certain enchantment and timeless quality.
Circus is referred to as in Latin as “circus”. The word “circus” derives from the Latin word “circus,” which refers to an oval- or ring-shaped arena used for public events like gladiator fights and chariot racing in ancient Rome.
A performer who dresses and acts in a humorous manner and uses physical humor, gags, and tricks to amuse an audience is known as a clown. Clowns have a long history of enthralling audiences of all ages and are an integral component of circus culture. But you can also call someone a “clown” to ridicule them for being stupid, inept, or unprofessional.