A    B    C    D    E-J    K-Q    R-Z

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A IS FOR...

acrobats –circus stars who perform on the trampoline, trapeze, tight wire or tumbling mats

adagio –balletlike dance movements performed by two or more acrobats

aerial acts –circus acts performed in the air

aerialist –acrobats who work above the rings

America's Living National Treasure® –Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus has been bringing people together for over 130 years; it is certainly one of America's most cherished shows

animals –elephants, tigers, horses, dogs, llamas, alpacas and zebras are Ringling Bros.’ performing partners

Annie Oakley –a complimentary ticket or free pass

apparatus –objects needed in circus acts, such as the trapeze, ladder, etc.

Auguste clown–a type of clown who paints white around the eyes and mouth, wears baggy clothes, and entertains by falling, flipping, and performing other kinds of silly movements

B IS FOR...

baby animals –most of the animals that perform were born and bred in captivity; Ringling Bros. never removes animals from the wild

Bailey, James A. –owner of an English circus who became P.T. Barnum's business partner; together they invented the first three-ring circus

balancing –the ability to walk steadily on a wire, or stand on an elephant's back without falling

ballyhoo –exaggerated behavior to attract the attention of a crowd

Barnum, P.T. –a master showman, who opened a circus in 1871 in Brooklyn, NY, a wizard at finding unusual acts that people had never seen

Bengal tiger –a breed of tiger from a region of Asia called Bengal

Big Bertha (or Big One) –another name for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus

Big Top –a large tent where the early circus was performed

Boss Clown –the clown who is in charge of all of the clowns

bull –another word for elephant

bull tub –heavy round metal pedestal upon which an elephant sits or stands

bungee –a rubberized cord from which performers do aerial acts

bust out–a time when many clowns enter the arena at once

C IS FOR...

calliope –a musical instrument consisting of a series of steam whistles played like an organ; used today in displays and parades

careers

• Controller (oversees money)
• Chaplain (spiritual support)
• General Manager (attends to non-performance details)
• Paymaster (payroll)
• Performance Director (ensures the show runs smoothly)
• Producer (in charge of total show, hires new acts)
• Purchasing Agent (buys supplies)
• Train Master (in charge of the circus train)

catcher –a member of a trapeze act who catches the flyers

Center for Elephant Conservation–a large protected area in Florida where Ringling Bros.' elephants can have their babies, relax, or live after they retire from the circus. Click here to learn more about the CEC.

character clown –has exaggerated facial features, sometimes called hobo or tramp clown

cherry pie –extra work done by circus personnel for extra pay

Clown Alley –clowns' dressing rooms, where all the clowns "hang out," and the closest area to the arena

clown's honor –an unwritten code of honor between clowns so that no clown copies another clown’s makeup

clown stop –a brief appearance of clowns while the props are being changed or rigging is being set up

coach cars –specially designed railroad cars on which the performers live and travel

concessions –place where souvenirs and food are sold

contortion–ability to bend your body into unusual positions

D IS FOR...

double decker wire –a high wire act where one wire is above another

dressed house–when tickets are distributed so that all sections are filled with no obviously empty sections