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dpe666 Inner circle 2895 Posts |
Ok, I know sideshow performers do not like the term geek. What is the preferred title?
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Slim Price Inner circle 1935 - 2006 1326 Posts |
How about "sideshow performer?" The insider's term is working act...
sanscan@tds.net
"I will never bitter be, as long as I can laugh at me!" "The people who were dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music" |
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magicalaurie Inner circle Ontario, Canada 2962 Posts |
How about DEMON? KIDDING, 666!!!!! Please don't kill me .
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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
For other performers to use: Working Act. Period. Like most accurate terms, it has a meaning and a history.
The perception by 'working acts' that the term 'geek' is derogitory is really enough, to not use the term. Like any 'percieved' incorrect usage of a word or term, it will also bring to light the perception that you don't know what the hell you're talking about and cause an equal and opposite reaction in the mind of the 'working act' that you're a 'dork'. For non-performers to use: As Slim says, Sideshow Performer will do.
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
Working act?! The reason I got into this was so I didn't HAVE to work!
So 'dork' it is! Ya gotta admit, it would start some interesting dinner conversations: "So, what line of work is your son in?" "He's a dork!" |
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MattTheKnife Veteran user 356 Posts |
I couldn't have said it any better Doug!
-Matt (TK) PS- dpe666, I'd MUCH rather have someone ask than to just call me a geek. So kudos to you for looking in to the correct terms! |
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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
Of course the term Geek has been usurped and is proudly held high by techno leaning young souls with pocket protectors and braces and permantly embedded computer connections, so that adds to the insult when addressing a seriously talented performer.
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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dpe666 Inner circle 2895 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-08-10 13:18, MattTheKnife wrote: Well, that is why I asked. Here are 3 more question: How did the term GEEK get started? When was it applied to sideshow performers? When did it become derogatory? |
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drwilson Inner circle Bar Harbor, ME 2191 Posts |
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Slim Price Inner circle 1935 - 2006 1326 Posts |
Stolen from TGN, I think it says it pretty well...
Hey all. I have heard this many times over and have a little extra info to share. Red Stuart and I hang out every week after work, cutting up jackpots, brainstorming on new ideas and old for new sideshow acts, etc. One day I brought up the subject of geeks to him, this past summer. Well, Red Stuart has explained to me an extreme variation of "geek". The term "glomming geek" is what he refers to as a seriously depraved act that has been since made illegal due to animal rights activists. He explains (and I don't mean to offend, I am merely repeating what I have been told... I hope nobody is eating right now): He would be in the tent, usually as a blow off. Inside the tent would be a small pig, dog or other animal. He would chase down the animal, pick it up with his mouth, then would tear a chunk of flesh from the animals' soft underbelly. Then he would release the animal, allowing it run around the tent with its' entrails falling out, tripping over its' own intestines, trailing blood all over the place, etc. Red would again pick up the animal (with his teeth), begin to chew out the entrails and spew the contents onto any audience member who seemed appalled at the display (which would be just about everybody). Red explained that the show wouldn't be considered a success unless many people would vomit, faint, or run out of the tent after witnessing this act. Red told me about this (while at a diner, no less) as if he was explaining how to perform an oil change. The man is a fountain of sideshow knowledge, yet this jackpot is one that I am glad will never be performed again. The reason he told me this story is because I mentioned to him that (from my understanding) geeking was considered the lowest form of sideshow entertainers. He retorted that it was the top of the line act in his day, and went on to explain what a glomming geek does. I hope this hasn't ruined anyones day. Yours, TGN The World's Strongest Nipples
sanscan@tds.net
"I will never bitter be, as long as I can laugh at me!" "The people who were dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music" |
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TAIT Regular user uk 142 Posts |
Hi Slim I knew of rats and chickes and snakes heads being be bitten off but not off (small pig, dog or other animal. He would chase down the animal, pick it up with his mouth, then would tear a chunk of flesh from the animals' soft underbelly. Then he would release the animal, allowing it run around the tent with its' entrails falling out, tripping over its' own intestines, trailing blood all over the place, etc. Red would again pick up the animal (with his teeth), begin to chew out the entrails and spew the contents onto any audience)but what a blow off.
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magicalaurie Inner circle Ontario, Canada 2962 Posts |
That IS demonic.
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Would the following be a good breakdown of people possibly involved in sideshow?
GEEK: One who performes grusome but unskilled acts. (e.g. biting the heads of rats) GEEK MAGICIAN: One who fakes grusome but unskilled acts. (e.g. knife through arm, spike through fake tounge) CARNY/CARNIE: One who runs amusements rides. SIDESHOW PERFORMER/WORKING ACT: A performer with a learnt skill (e.g. block head etc.) FREAK: Someone with an unusual, innate physical attribute. (e.g. pinhead etc) The definitions are just pieced together from my readings so they may be incorrect. |
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Slim Price Inner circle 1935 - 2006 1326 Posts |
CARNY/CARNIE: One who runs amusements rides. Carny is a collective term for anyone who works at a carnival on a steady basis. BTW, it is not carnie, a diminutive form in English. There are divisions within, like ride jocks, flatties, etc.
GEEK: One who performes gruesome but unskilled acts. (e.g. biting the heads of rats) Usually, especially in the past, a Geek was dependant on drugs or booze, especially wine (wino) where the fix was his pay. GEEK MAGICIAN: One who fakes gruesome but unskilled acts. (e.g. knife through arm, spike through fake tongue) There should not BE ANY geek magicians. Only performers who respect themselves. This is probably my last post at this location... Slim & Krista, Free at last!
sanscan@tds.net
"I will never bitter be, as long as I can laugh at me!" "The people who were dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music" |
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Harley Newman Inner circle 5117 Posts |
Isn't "dork" the sexual organ of a male whale?
"Dorking" is a type of poultry with a long square form, and five toes.
“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus” -Mark Twain
www.bladewalker.com |
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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
Yep...those that don't 'get it' are 'sexual organs of male whales'...yep...that's it.
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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Harley Newman Inner circle 5117 Posts |
Walrus ones are interesting also, as they really do have a bone. I know on eperson who works in a pseudo-scientific job, dealing with walrus anatomy, who just loves to go around waving one of those things, and saying "I've got abone to pick with you".
It's ridiculous, and Doug will be right in knowing that no pun is intended. No, of course not. Could never happen.
“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus” -Mark Twain
www.bladewalker.com |
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thegreatnippulini Inner circle of Hell because I've made 2582 Posts |
Most male reptiles have TWO ***es, called "hemi-penises". They lie inside a pouch called the "cloaca", kind of like a glove pulled inside out. Depending on which side the animal chooses to mate on (yes they do it sideways) they use the appropraite organ. What does this have to do with Geeking? I have absolutely no idea... just some more useless information to throw at ya!
TGN (P.S., a very intelligent friend once told me "Pigs don't sweat")
The Great Nippulini: body piercer, Guinness World Record holder, blacksmith and man with The World's Strongest Nipples! Does the WORLD care? We shall see...
http://www.greatnippulini.com |
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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
The Walrus weener bones are called an 'Oosik' in Alaska...years ago when I lived there, there were all kinds of 'novelties' for sale made out of them...back in the days when it was still fun when an old lady would ask..."Oh...that's cute...what is that?" snarf snarf...
Bevis or Butthead would love that conversation. Gorillas Sweat...one of the foulest odors on the planet...think of that when you yearn to sit in the jungle communing with the Great Apes one on one shooting your documentary for Animal Planet.
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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Cholly, by golly! Loyal user 251 Posts |
So many young performers call themselves GEEKS.
The call what they do GEEK MAGIC. I guess we have Mr. Rose to blame for that. All of us use words and terms our grandparents would find offensive. A lot of us use language our grandparents wouldn't even understand. As the English language evolves... it changes. What once was "correct" is now outdated What was once "slang" is now accepted. This applies to CARNY SLANG as well. If young people continue to use GEEK as slang for any sideshow performer, we may be stuck with it... regardless of what was "correct" years ago. It's not really up to the old-timers, is it? |
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