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Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Part 2:  Talking Circus Talk

CIRCUS TERMINOLOGY

  • Bandmaster — person who conducts the band, makes necessary changes in the music and usually plays the trumpet.

  • Boss Elephant Man — person who feeds and cares for all the elephants.

  • Boss of Ring Stock — person who feeds and cares for all performing horses, camels, ponies, etc.

  • Bust Out — a time when many clowns enter the arena at once, usually during the pre-show come-in.

  • Cherry Pie — extra work done by employees for extra pay.

  • Clown Alley — alley is a variation on "allez, allez" (French for "go") the phrase used in old days of circusing to call the clowns to action.

  • Clown Stop — a brief appearance of clowns while the props are being changed or rigging is being set.

  • Clown Walk-Around — all clowns in show parade around the hippodrome track stopping from time to time to do sight gags, pratfalls, etc.

  • Come-In — the period of clown performances when the public is still entering the arena. Begins 20 minutes prior to performance time.

  • Dressed House — when tickets are distributed so that all sections are filled or "dressed" with no large empty areas.

  • Ducat — a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® ticket.

  • Ducat Grabber — door tender or ticket collector.

  • Finish Trick — the last "trick" of a specific presentation.

  • Heralds — Ringling Bros. advertisements (approximately 9 x 20 inches) which can be pasted down or handed out.

Pictures used with permission from Carleton Public Relations

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