1. Culture presentation Afra Tsai 93306068 25, March, 2008

2. A circus is most commonly a traveling company of performers that may include acrobats, clowns, trained animals, trapeze acts, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists and other stunt-oriented artists. […] A circus is held in an oval or circular arena with tiered seating around its edge; in the case of traveling circuses this location is most often a large tent called the big top. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circus The Latin word circus, which comes from the Greek word kirkos, “circle, ring,” referred to a circular or oval area enclosed by rows of seats for spectators. http://www.answers.com/topic/circus?nr=1&lsc=true

3. Circus wagon/train Big top/Tent Ring, arena Ring master Equitation Magician Ventriloquist Balancer/Funambulist Juggler Sword swallower/fire eater Flyer/aerialist Clown Giant/midget(dwarf) Lion tamer Fate teller

5. Culture: Society entertainment Childhood memory Literature: Ray Bradbury: The illustrated man Something wicked this way comes Performing Art: Charles Chaplin: The Circus (1928) Disney: Dumbo (1941) Stage design/Music/Advertising…

6. A three-ring circus A situation characterized by confusing, engrossing, or amusing activity. Horse around To behave in a rowdy, improper, or unruly fashion: act up, carry on, misbehave A balancing act A difficult situation in which you try to achieve several different things at the same time.

7. Walk a tightrope Take or be on a very precarious course Bread and circus Activities that are intended to keep people happy so that they do not complain about problems. The show must go on Despite tragic accidents, poor weather conditions, and other setbacks warranting cancellations, circus shows usually took place as scheduled.

8. Never look back during a parade. (Some shows fined those who transgressed.) Never sit on the ringcurb facing out. Never whistle in the dressing room. Peacock feathers are bad luck. Accidents happen in threes. Elephants must always have their trunks up in pictures. Hair from the tail of an elephant is good luck. (Often made into rings or bracelets.)

9. http://www.circusinamerica.org/public/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circus http://goodmagic.com/carny/c_a.htm http://circus.bendall.de/lingo.html http://www.circusweb.com/circuswebFrames.html http://www.circusland.com/photo/ephoto.php http://www.answers.com/topic/circus http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/circus http://www.macmillandictionaries.com/med-magazine/Feb08/49-LA- Idioms.htm http://www.hltmag.co.uk/jan06/mart05.htm All retrieved 2008/03/25