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'.Link (Thanks, Kirsten Anderson!)
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.
posted by David Pescovitz at 07:55:51 AM permalink | Other blogs' comments












