sideshow
Tangential circus act
A sideshow is a secondary attraction at a circus or fair, typically featuring curiosities, oddities, or unusual performers—the bearded lady, the sword swallower, the human oddities displayed in tents beside the main event.
Figuratively, a sideshow is any distraction from what matters most: The scandal became a sideshow to the actual policy debate.
The term can be dismissive, suggesting something unworthy of serious attention.
Outdoor amusement venue
- midwayEquidistant from both ends
- tentPortable fabric shelter
- barkerShow entrance promoter
- freakshowExhibition of curiosities
oddity · curiosity · exhibit · geek · talker · banner · pitch · grind
Pull toward something
- curiosityDesire to learn
- noveltyQuality of being original
- displayPresentation for viewing
- exhibitionPublic display of items
showcase · wonder · marvel · sensation · phenomenon · draw · crowd-pleaser · eye-catcher
Redirection of attention
- detourAlternate path around obstruction
- secondaryLesser in rank
- tangentLine touching curve once
- digressionVeering off topic
subplot · peripheral · minor · incidental · footnote · afterthought · red herring · smokescreen
fairground
Outdoor amusement venue
freakshow · oddity · curiosity · exhibit · geek · talker · banner · pitch · grind · bally
attraction
Pull toward something
exhibition · showcase · wonder · marvel · sensation · phenomenon · draw · crowd-pleaser · eye-catcher · showpiece
diversion
Redirection of attention
digression · subplot · peripheral · minor · incidental · footnote · afterthought · red herring · smokescreen · deflection
circus
Traveling entertainment with performers
- farceAbsurd, laughable situation
- absurdityWildly illogical quality
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
travesty · fiasco · debacle · charade · pantomime · theatrics · melodrama · drama · spectacle · commotion
- circuscircus, big top, clown, clowns, ringmaster
- carnivalparade, costume, float, ferris wheel, roller coaster
- circus actsacrobat, acrobats, trapeze artist, juggling, jugglers
- performancesdance routine, ballet, comedy act, magic act, musical
- traveling showstraveling troupe, roadshow, circus, vaudeville, three-ring circus
- vintage amusementscarousel, circus, ferris wheel, funhouse, midway
sideshowmain attraction
Primary point of interest
main event · centerpiece · headliner · main act · star attraction
sideshowsubstance
Physical material with mass
heart of the matter · crux · gravitas · priority · priorities
- sideshow actsUnusual carnival performers