Crazy Irving's Magic Circus Clown Terms

- Dictionary of Clown Terms -
Ad-lib An impromptu or spur of the moment comment or joke. When something goes awry with a skit or when a line is forgotten, often a clown will use an ad-lib joke or alternate line to save the day. Alley This refers to a clown alley. It's a circus term to mean the area that the clowns used for makeup and costume changes. The term, clown alley, is now used to refer to clown groups, clubs or troupes. Auguste pronounced 'aw-goose' The Auguste clown character is a prankster clown who likes to pulls jokes, however they frequently backfire on him. The Auguste makeup has a flesh tone background. The muzzle area is white. Red, white and black colors are used for features. Blow-off The funny or surprise ending to a clown skit, a bit of business or gag. Boss Clown This is a circus term that refers to the clown who is in charge of a clown troupe or unit. It also refers to the clown who is in charge of a clown gig or event. Bump a Nose This term is the equivalent to theatrical phrase, "Break a leg" and is used to convey, "good luck in your performance." Caring Clown A clown that focuses on the people who are patients of a hospital or who live in a nursing home. Often Christian clowns do this type of clowning as a ministry. Character Clown A clown dressed to portray a type of character, an occupation, celebrity or cartoon character. Usually accessories and props are used to help identify the character. Some common types are: hobo, tramp, caveman, nurse, fireman, Keystone cop, a tin man, baby and cowboy. Close Up Magic Magic tricks performed while encircled by a small crowd. Often a small table is used and the audience is "up close" to the performer. Coin tricks, card tricks and sleight of hand magic are often presented as close up. Clown Muzzle A specific area of white clown makeup surrounding the mouth. Often Auguste, hobo, tramp and bag lady clown types have a clown muzzle. Double Take A comic acting technique of showing surprise or shock at something. The clown looks, looks away, then quickly look back again Eye Mask The area of the face around both eyes. It is the same general area that the Lone Ranger's mask would cover. First of May A term used for a brand new or beginner clown. Often a new clown takes their first plunge (first clown outing) when the winter weather is over. Often this happens around the first of May. Gig A clown booking, performance, appearance or event is called a gig. Usually the clown is paid or invited to perform at a gig. Gimmick A secret device used to accomplish a magic trick or activate a prop. Hey Rube When a clown yells, "Hey Rube," that is an old circus signal indicating that he is in some kind of trouble Other performers should come to his rescue. Hobo Clown This clown variation is very similar to the Tramp clown. Normally the Hobo clown is happy and energetic. Joey A nickname for a clown with at least 5 years experience. Improvisation A theatrical term that refers to an acting or comedy sketch that is created on the spot without a script or rehearsal. Often a premise is given and the actor is challenged to come up with something interesting or funny. Liquid Latex An adhesive used to attach clown noses. Milking When something is done over and over and it receives a favorable response from the audience. An actor is said to be milking the audience when he keeps bowing and receiving applause. Mime A variation of the word "pantomime." Silently depicting a story or action by using only body motions and actions. Mimes may use music or sound effects but they never use spoken words. Patter The story or script that accompanies a trick, a comic skit or a ventriloquists act. Physical Comedy Planned falls, slips, trips, slaps, chases and similar comic actions used by clowns and comedians. Plunge The first time that a new clown appears and performs in public as a clown. Pocket Magic Small tricks that fit into a pocket and that are suitable for presenting to one person or to a small crowd. Powder Sock A white sock containing powder. The sock is patted against the face so that the powder covers and sets the makeup. Pratfall An acrobatic flip done so that you land flat on your back. Props Physical items and devices that are used in an act. Gag props (or sight gags) are used to create laughter from the audience. A folding chair that keeps falling apart is another comic prop. The fake arrow through the head is a comic prop. Over-sized props, such as a foam hammer, might be used to crack a walnut. Miscellaneous stage items like tables, wastebaskets, phones, etc. are props too. Routine A short bit-of-business, sketch, trick or act. Often a show or presentation is made up of several routines. Running Gag A comic joke or event that is used periodically throughout a show or skit. Sight Gag A device that makes you gag at the sight of it. Just kidding. It's a comic prop that induces laughter or a smile when people view it. Slapstick A special long flat wooden paddle used to make a loud noise when hit across a clown's backside Comic action earmarked by plenty of falling down, physical comedy and chases is sometimes referred to as slapstick comedy. Slow Burn When a clown has been offended, he slowly turns toward the person that offended him. His expression shows a lot of anger. Spirit Gum An adhesive for attaching clown noses or other theatrical appliances such as beards and moustaches. Spirit gum can be removed with alcohol. Thumb Tip A magic device that looks like a real thumb. However, it is hollow and is used to vanish and / or produce silks and other small objects. Timing The subtle pauses and delays in comedy. Proper timing is the technique used by clowns to effectively tell a joke or perform a comic skit. The correct timing for words, actions and responses must all happen on cue. Tramp Clown One of the three main clown types. He acts sad, dejected and lazy. Upstaging Doing or saying something that brings an unexpected moment of glory to the actor or clown. When a minor actor's performance outshines the performance of the main stars, they have been upstaged. Venue A location or event where clowns, jugglers, puppeteers and other entertainers would be found performing or entertaining. Fairs, festivals, side shows, conventions and grand openings are some examples. Walk-Around Mingling and walking around in the crowd and entertaining often with pocket tricks, sight gags, balloon animals, gag gimmicks or other devices. Whiteface A standard clown type where all of the exposed skin is covered by white makeup. Often a whiteface clown will have the mouth and eyes highlighted with other markings and colors. The whiteface clown is considered to be the highest ranking and therefore the smartest of the clown types. Yak Wig A clown wig made from the hair of a yak ox. The yak hair is considered to be the best quality hair for making clown wigs.

- Dictionary of Clown Terms -

Ad-lib
An impromptu or spur of the moment comment or joke.
When something goes awry with a skit or when a line is forgotten,
often a clown will use an ad-lib joke or alternate line to save the day.

Alley
This refers to a clown alley.
It's a circus term to mean the area that the clowns used for makeup and costume changes.
The term, clown alley, is now used to refer to clown groups, clubs or troupes.

Auguste
pronounced 'aw-goose'
The Auguste clown character is a prankster clown who likes to pulls jokes,
however they frequently backfire on him.
The Auguste makeup has a flesh tone background.
The muzzle area is white. Red, white and black colors are used for features.

Blow-off
The funny or surprise ending to a clown skit, a bit of business or gag.

Boss Clown
This is a circus term that refers to the clown who is in charge of a clown troupe or unit.
It also refers to the clown who is in charge of a clown gig or event.

Bump a Nose
This term is the equivalent to theatrical phrase,
"Break a leg" and is used to convey, "good luck in your performance."

Caring Clown
A clown that focuses on the people who are patients of a hospital or who live in a nursing home.
Often Christian clowns do this type of clowning as a ministry.

Character Clown
A clown dressed to portray a type of character, an occupation, celebrity or cartoon character.
Usually accessories and props are used to help identify the character.
Some common types are:
hobo, tramp, caveman, nurse, fireman, Keystone cop, a tin man, baby and cowboy.

Close Up Magic
Magic tricks performed while encircled by a small crowd.
Often a small table is used and the audience is "up close" to the performer.
Coin tricks, card tricks and sleight of hand magic are often presented as close up.

Clown Muzzle
A specific area of white clown makeup surrounding the mouth.
Often Auguste, hobo, tramp and bag lady clown types have a clown muzzle.

Double Take
A comic acting technique of showing surprise or shock at something.
The clown looks, looks away, then quickly look back again

Eye Mask
The area of the face around both eyes.
It is the same general area that the Lone Ranger's mask would cover.

First of May
A term used for a brand new or beginner clown.
Often a new clown takes their first plunge (first clown outing)
when the winter weather is over.
Often this happens around the first of May.

Gig
A clown booking, performance, appearance or event is called a gig.
Usually the clown is paid or invited to perform at a gig.

Gimmick
A secret device used to accomplish a magic trick or activate a prop.

Hey Rube
When a clown yells, "Hey Rube,"
that is an old circus signal indicating that he is in some kind of trouble
Other performers should come to his rescue.

Hobo Clown
This clown variation is very similar to the Tramp clown.
Normally the Hobo clown is happy and energetic.

Joey
A nickname for a clown with at least 5 years experience.

Improvisation
A theatrical term that refers to an acting or comedy sketch
that is created on the spot without a script or rehearsal.
Often a premise is given and the actor is challenged
to come up with something interesting or funny.

Liquid Latex
An adhesive used to attach clown noses.

Milking
When something is done over and over and
it receives a favorable response from the audience.
An actor is said to be milking the audience when
he keeps bowing and receiving applause.

Mime
A variation of the word "pantomime."
Silently depicting a story or action by using only body motions and actions.
Mimes may use music or sound effects but they never use spoken words.

Patter
The story or script that accompanies a trick, a comic skit or a ventriloquists act.

Physical Comedy
Planned falls, slips, trips, slaps, chases and similar comic actions
used by clowns and comedians.

Plunge
The first time that a new clown appears and performs in public as a clown.

Pocket Magic
Small tricks that fit into a pocket and that are suitable for presenting
to one person or to a small crowd.

Powder Sock
A white sock containing powder.
The sock is patted against the face so that the powder covers and sets the makeup.

Pratfall
An acrobatic flip done so that you land flat on your back.

Props
Physical items and devices that are used in an act.
Gag props (or sight gags) are used to create laughter from the audience.
A folding chair that keeps falling apart is another comic prop.
The fake arrow through the head is a comic prop.
Over-sized props, such as a foam hammer, might be used to crack a walnut.
Miscellaneous stage items like tables, wastebaskets, phones, etc. are props too.

Routine
A short bit-of-business, sketch, trick or act.
Often a show or presentation is made up of several routines.

Running Gag
A comic joke or event that is used periodically throughout a show or skit.

Sight Gag
A device that makes you gag at the sight of it. Just kidding.
It's a comic prop that induces laughter or a smile when people view it.

Slapstick
A special long flat wooden paddle used to make a loud noise
when hit across a clown's backside
Comic action earmarked by plenty of falling down, physical comedy and chases
is sometimes referred to as slapstick comedy.

Slow Burn
When a clown has been offended, he slowly turns toward the person that offended him.
His expression shows a lot of anger.

Spirit Gum
An adhesive for attaching clown noses or other theatrical appliances
such as beards and moustaches.
Spirit gum can be removed with alcohol.

Thumb Tip
A magic device that looks like a real thumb.
However, it is hollow and is used to vanish and / or produce silks and other small objects.

Timing
The subtle pauses and delays in comedy.
Proper timing is the technique used by clowns to effectively tell a joke or perform a comic skit.
The correct timing for words, actions and responses must all happen on cue.

Tramp Clown
One of the three main clown types. He acts sad, dejected and lazy.

Upstaging
Doing or saying something that brings an unexpected moment of glory to the actor or clown.
When a minor actor's performance outshines the performance of the main stars,
they have been upstaged.

Venue
A location or event where clowns, jugglers, puppeteers and other entertainers
would be found performing or entertaining.
Fairs, festivals, side shows, conventions and grand openings are some examples.

Walk-Around
Mingling and walking around in the crowd and entertaining often with pocket tricks,
sight gags, balloon animals, gag gimmicks or other devices.

Whiteface
A standard clown type where all of the exposed skin is covered by white makeup.
Often a whiteface clown will have the mouth and eyes
highlighted with other markings and colors.
The whiteface clown is considered to be the highest ranking
and therefore the smartest of the clown types.

Yak Wig
A clown wig made from the hair of a yak ox.
The yak hair is considered to be the best quality hair for making clown wigs.