carneys
Midway game operators
Carneys is the plural of carney, an informal term for carnival workers—the people who operate rides, run games, and work the booths at traveling fairs and amusement shows.
The word carries connotations of a rough, transient lifestyle and sometimes implies untrustworthiness: The carneys packed up overnight and moved to the next town.
Also spelled carnies.
Equidistant from both ends
- fairgroundOutdoor amusement venue
- traveling showsMobile entertainment productions
- jumpPropel oneself airborne
- markVisible impression or sign
gaff · tip · blowoff · bally · flash · slum · geek · front end
Unskilled laborers, often itinerant
- barkersAggressive sidewalk promoters
- concessionairesLicensed retail operators
- pitchmenPersuasive product sellers
- grindersSubs or abrasive machines
talkers · agent · advance men
Unusual carnival performers
- fire eatersPerformers who consume flames
- sword swallowersPerformers who ingest blades
- contortionistsPerformers with extreme flexibility
- strong menMuscular male performers
bearded ladies · freakshows · escape artists · knife throwers · magicians · mentalists
midway
Equidistant from both ends
- fairgroundOutdoor amusement venue
- traveling showsMobile entertainment productions
- jumpPropel oneself airborne
mark · gaff · tip · blowoff · bally · flash · slum · geek · front end · back end
roustabouts
Unskilled laborers, often itinerant
- barkersAggressive sidewalk promoters
- concessionairesLicensed retail operators
- pitchmenPersuasive product sellers
grinders · talkers · agent · advance men
sideshow acts
Unusual carnival performers
- fire eatersPerformers who consume flames
- sword swallowersPerformers who ingest blades
- contortionistsPerformers with extreme flexibility
strong men · bearded ladies · freakshows · escape artists · knife throwers · magicians · mentalists
carneyslocals
Area's permanent inhabitants
suburbanites · nine-to-fivers · townies · townsfolk · homebodies