Monday, July 11, 2005

Carny lingo


Here's an excellent glossary of Carny Lingo, straight from the midway. A sampling:
BABY NEEDS MILK - When carnies see another carny flirting with the townies, they will often go by and say this just to mess up their buddies 'score'.

FLOSS or FLOSS WAGON - Cotton candy and a 'grab joint' that sells cotton candy.

GOING OUT HORIZONTAL - Working until you literally die on the lot or in winter quarters. Something not common among carnies.

KICK - Refers to the pocket where carnies keep the money they 'swing' with, i.e., "I saw Gizmo put that 'fin' in his 'kick'."

RUBE - Any kind of physical and sometimes, verbal fight. Originally meant a big fight between the carnies and the townies. When a carny saw someone hit a co-worker, they yelled "Hey, Rube!" and everyone who could bail a counter piled on. Also, a not very affectionate term for the towner himself.
Link (Thanks, Kirsten Anderson!)



posted by David Pescovitz at 07:55:51 AM permalink | Other blogs' comments

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