circus freak
Tent show curiosity
A circus freak is a person exhibited in sideshows for unusual physical characteristics—extreme height, conjoined twins, extensive body modifications.
The term extends to anyone considered bizarre or abnormal: They treated him like a circus freak.
As carnival sideshows declined, the phrase became primarily figurative and derogatory, suggesting someone to be gawked at rather than respected.
- sideshowSecondary carnival attraction
- freakshowExhibition of curiosities
- entertainerOne who amuses others
- odditySomething unusual or unexpected
- midgetDated slur, small person
anomaly · spectacle · exhibition · unique · attraction · conjoined twins · performance · body horror · sword swallower · exploitation · consent · human rights · dignity · carnival barker · snake charmer · fire eater · bearded lady · P.T. Barnum
- grotesquegrotesquerie, grotesque, grotesquery, deformity, hideousness
- Sideshowsideshow, bearded lady, fat lady, tattooed lady, tattooed man
circus freakaverage person
Statistically typical individual
everyman · regular Joe · conformist · normie · plain Jane
circus freakacrobat
Agile circus performer
trapeze artist · tightrope walker · aerialist · juggler · contortionist
circus, freak, circuses, freaks, freaked, freaking, freaky, freakish, freakishly