Difference between revisions of "Circus"
(New page: The term '''circus''' has a number of meanings. In classical times, a '''circus''' was an arena or amphitheatre, such as the Circus Maximus in Rome, used for sporting and glad...) |
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The term '''circus''' has a number of meanings. | The term '''circus''' has a number of meanings. | ||
| − | In [[classical]] times, a '''circus''' was an arena or [[ | + | In [[classical]] times, a '''circus''' was an arena or [[amphitheater]], such as the Circus Maximus in [[Rome]], used for sporting and gladiatorial events. |
| − | In the modern world, a '''circus''' is a | + | In the modern world, a '''circus''' is a traveling entertainment show, generally presented in a large tent or 'big top', with displays by clowns, acrobats, trapeze artists, etc, and often (though less frequently than in former years) performing animals such as horses, elephants, lions and tigers. Arising from this usage, political conferences and similar events are often satirically described as 'circuses'. |
The meeting point of a number of roads, at a circular plaza, is often also described as a '''circus'''. Thus in London one finds Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus, Cambridge Circus, Finsbury Circus, Holborn Circus and St George's Circus - and not a tiger in sight! | The meeting point of a number of roads, at a circular plaza, is often also described as a '''circus'''. Thus in London one finds Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus, Cambridge Circus, Finsbury Circus, Holborn Circus and St George's Circus - and not a tiger in sight! | ||
Revision as of 12:32, August 27, 2008
The term circus has a number of meanings.
In classical times, a circus was an arena or amphitheater, such as the Circus Maximus in Rome, used for sporting and gladiatorial events.
In the modern world, a circus is a traveling entertainment show, generally presented in a large tent or 'big top', with displays by clowns, acrobats, trapeze artists, etc, and often (though less frequently than in former years) performing animals such as horses, elephants, lions and tigers. Arising from this usage, political conferences and similar events are often satirically described as 'circuses'.
The meeting point of a number of roads, at a circular plaza, is often also described as a circus. Thus in London one finds Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus, Cambridge Circus, Finsbury Circus, Holborn Circus and St George's Circus - and not a tiger in sight!