CIRCUS SLANG
FROM ABOUT STAGE FOLKS
BY JUDGE (WILLIAM ELLIS)HORTON
(Free Press Printing Company, Detroit MI)
1902


In the introduction George P. Goodale, a
prominent theatrical critic in Detroit, writes:
"The author of these reminiscences speaks
from the chair. He knows his subject because
for many years he was a part of the life he
reproduces with such intimate sympathy."
From Mari Lyn Henry's archive of theatrical books.  Some of the slang we still use today became defined for the first time. Enjoy the reprint--From the TOP!

Circus people talk a jargon that would be unintelligible to the uninitiated. To those in circus life the manager of the head of any enterprise is always "the main guy," while those in subordinate positions are simply "guys." The tents are called "tops" by circus men, and they are subdivided into the "big top," "animal top," the "kid top," the "candy top," and so on. The side show where the Circassian girls (referring to Russian folk dancers), fat women, and other curiosities known as "freaks" are shown, is termed the "kid show," and the man with the persuasive voice who seeks to entice people to enter is known as a"barker," or a "spieler."

The men who sell peanuts, red lemonade, palm leaf fans and concert tickets, are known as "butchers," while that class of circus followers whose methods are outside of the pale of the law are "guns" or "grafters."  To get a person's money without giving an equivalent is to "turn them." A country man is either a "Rube" or a "yap."  The musicians with a circus are known as "wind jammers," the train men, canvas men and other laborers are "razorbacks." The distance from one town to another is always known as a "jump".  The show ground is called the "lot," and the dining tent where the circus people get their meals is the "camp."

An acrobat is known as a "kinker," and all things that are used in the ring, such as banners, hoops and the like are called "objects."  Those who lie on their backs and juggle children on their feet are "Risleys," and if other objects are balanced on the feet, they are "barrel kickers."  Money is referred to as "coin" or "dough" and the one who pays the salaries is either the "ghost" or the "man in white." A trunk is called a "keester," and a valise is a "turkey."  To get away quick is to do a "vamp," and those who are forced to leave  say "got the hurry."

Those who have been long in the business are "old landmarks," and a new addition to the profession is either a "butt in" or a "Johnny Newcomer."  Food is called "chuck" and they say an intoxicated person is "soused."  A fight is a "scrap," but any trouble that cannot be handled by the regular officers is a "mix up," and a whistle is blown, at the sound of which each employee grabs a stake or other handy weapon and yells "Hey, Rube," which is the call to arms.

A proposed victim is known as a "sucker" to the confidence men who follow the circus, and "fanning a guy" is to make sure he has no weapons on him before they proceed to get his money. To "frisk" a train is to arm a lot of husky employees with stakes and search the cars for "crooks" and "sure thing" men. There is no chance for argument at this time. If you see one of these worthies leaving in a hurry and ask him where he is bound, he will generally say: "To the tall and uncut."

Note: My best guess for why a valise is called a turkey. (Note picture of carpetbag at beginning of this column.) Valises were also known as carpetbags at the end of the 19th century. There were carryon bags of their day and a lot of them were made from oriental rugs which were imported from countries like Turkey.
Question: What did "tall and uncut" refer to as a destination?  I thought the prairies where tall grasses grow or cornfields where someone could become invisible.  Would love to hear any other ideas.