A-D
E-J K
L
M N
O
P Q
R-Z
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K IS FOR...
kazoo
–a musical instrument frequently used by clowns
kiester
–a circus wardrobe trunk
L IS FOR...
liberty
–a horse act without riders, reins, or any restraints. Horses follow the spoken
command of their trainer
lobby
–area near the main entrance of the arena where refreshments and souvenirs are
sold
long mount
–when a long line of elephants stand on their hind legs and place their front
legs on the back of the elephant in front of them
M IS FOR...
mechanic
–a leather safety harness which is worn by flyers and other aerialists and
controlled by a man who holds the lower end of the safety rope
menage
–a display of trained elephants or horses
menagerie
–backstage area where the circus animals are kept
Michu
–the smallest man in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus (33"
tall)
mud show
–a circus show that traveled over land in wagons; an outdoor circus show that
plays on dirt lots which may be muddy after a rain
N IS FOR...
natural behavior
–the animal routines in our circus showcase our animals' natural abilities; the
trainers never insist that animals perform movements that are not natural
net
–used as a safety device in flying trapeze and other aerial acts
O IS FOR...
online Web sites
–www.Ringling.com, www.elephantcenter.com
opening night
–first performance in each city
P IS FOR...
pachyderms
–another word for elephant; it means "thick-skinned" in Greek
pantomime
–a story acted out without words
passing leap
–trick in a flying trapeze act in which two flyers pass each other in mid-air,
one returning to the fly bar, while the other leaps over him to be caught by
the catcher
perch act
–a balancing act involving use of the apparatus upon which one person is
performing while it is being balanced by another
Pie Car
–train car where the Pie Car Chef prepares delicious food for the circus
performers
pirouette
–dance term meaning to spin around on one foot
pitchman
–the salesperson at the concession stand
portal
–performers’ entrance
positive reinforcement
–rewarding the animals' good behavior with hugs, praise, and treats
possum belly–extra storage box attached beneath a work wagon or railroad car
production number
–any one of the circus pageantry numbers in which performers are lavishly
dressed, and props and floats are used
program
–circus souvenir booklet filled with pictures, feature stories, and a listing
of the order of acts in the show
props
–objects such as ladders, rigging, hoops, etc., used in the circus
Q IS FOR...
quantity of food consumed by the circus animals in each unit per week
-
13 tons of hay
-
1,900 lbs. of sweetfeed
-
50 lbs. of wheat bran
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50 lbs. of alfalfa cubes
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1,000 lbs. of meat
-
1,900 lbs. of carrots
-
1,200 lbs. of apples
-
100 lbs. of corn
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50 lbs. of cat food
-
110 lbs. of dog food
-
50 lbs. of bird seed