bearded lady
Sideshow facial anomaly
A bearded lady is a woman with significant facial hair, historically exhibited as a curiosity in circus sideshows and carnival acts.
The term now appears in discussions of gender presentation, hormonal conditions, or as reclaimed identity among some women who grow beards naturally: The bearded lady was the star attraction of the freak show.
Exhibition of curiosities
- circusTraveling entertainment with performers
- carnivalTraveling amusement attraction
- sideshowSecondary carnival attraction
- big topMain circus tent
tent · exhibition · curiosity · gawking · spectacle · attraction · oddity · anomaly
Female nature or character
- womanhoodAdult female state
- facial hairBeard, mustache, stubble
- androgynyCombined sex characteristics
- gender nonconformityDiverging from expected roles
hirsutism · identity · presentation · beauty standards · unconventional · defiance · self-expression · body hair
One who amuses others
- showwomanFemale theatrical entertainer
- trouperDependable theatrical veteran
- actDeed or performance
- stage namePerformer's professional alias
costume · spotlight · audience · applause · touring · vaudeville · variety show · performance
Gaining authority or confidence
- curiosityDesire to learn
- uniquenessQuality of being singular
- self-acceptanceApproval of oneself
- confidenceSelf-assurance or trust
trailblazer · outsider · misunderstood · resilience · strength · pride · visibility · representation
freakshow
Exhibition of curiosities
- circusTraveling entertainment with performers
- carnivalTraveling amusement attraction
- sideshowSecondary carnival attraction
big top · tent · exhibition · curiosity · gawking · spectacle · attraction · oddity · anomaly · wonder
femininity
Female nature or character
- womanhoodAdult female state
- facial hairBeard, mustache, stubble
- androgynyCombined sex characteristics
gender nonconformity · hirsutism · identity · presentation · beauty standards · unconventional · defiance · self-expression · body hair · masculinity
entertainer
One who amuses others
stage name · costume · spotlight · audience · applause · touring · vaudeville · variety show · performance · theatrical
empowerment
Gaining authority or confidence
- curiosityDesire to learn
- uniquenessQuality of being singular
- self-acceptanceApproval of oneself
confidence · trailblazer · outsider · misunderstood · resilience · strength · pride · visibility · representation · reclamation
- circuscircus, big top, clown, clowns, ringmaster
- carnivalparade, costume, float, ferris wheel, roller coaster
- circus toyscircus train, lion tamers, circus wagons, tightrope walkers, circus animals
- Sideshowfreak show, sideshow, tattooed man, fire eater, sword swallower
- circus termstrapeze artist, lion tamer, big top, juggler, tightrope walker
- fairgroundsfairground, ferris wheel, carousel, cotton candy, funnel cake
bearded ladystrongman
Powerful lifter or despot
human cannonball · ringmaster · lion tamer · sword swallower · fire eater
lady, beard, ladies, maiden, bearded, ladylike, beards, landlady, beardless