Parlari 101

Because circuses often featured performers from around the world, a new language began to develop to help them communicate.  It was called Parlari, a name that must have some distant relationship to parler, the French verb for “to speak.”  Many Parlari terms come from the gypsy language, Romani.  It was most commonly spoken in British circuses, but as you’ll see, these terms come from all over and would have been familiar in circuses everywhere.  

Here are just a few Parlari terms.  Many more can be found at the delightful Circus Arts Home Page. 

atch, atching: means “moving” in the sense of moving the circus to the next town.  ”Where are you atching to next?”  Derived from a Romani term for camping site.

chavvi: a boy.

denali: money.  Possibly from the Italian word for “pence.”

donah: a woman.

joey: white-faced clown.  ”Joeying around” is clowning around.

kushti: nice, good.  Traces back to a Persian word for “happiness.”

moulti: opposite of kushti, although I haven’t identified a Persian or Farsi connection. 

omey: a man.

scarper: to run off.  

spiel: a speech describing what’s going on.  (In sideshows, the person outside the tent is often called the spieler or the talker.)

voltige: the horse-riding act that involves standing on horseback and jumping from horse to horse.  Related to the French, a voler, to fly.

Our Friends the Elephants

News out of Ringling-land is that elephants will finally be phased out of their shows.  As much as I selfishly love to see them, it's impossible not to feel that this is a good, moral, and long-overdue, move on Ringling's part.  And it makes me reflect on how very long those magnificent creatures have largely (although not always) tolerated their servitude.  

I do agree with the NY Times, who wonders aloud why, if Ringling has decided that using elephants is wrong, are they delaying the change for another 3 years?  

In any case: to the many generations of remarkable Elephantidae Proboscidea, I say thanks.  And sorry.  And we love you.  I hope you enjoy a peaceful retirement.

An elephant, apparently named Judy, gives a ride to a few (let's face it, probably unworthy) humans. Coney Island, June 18, 1911. (Library of Congress)

An elephant, apparently named Judy, gives a ride to a few (let's face it, probably unworthy) humans. Coney Island, June 18, 1911. (Library of Congress)


Princess Raja

Princess Raja bellydancing - 1904 Princess Rajah performs an "Oriental" or belly dance, and a balancing chair act in her teeth like that often found in folk performances in various cultures from Northern Africa to Greece. Shot outdoors in a street scene at the St.

The great Princess Raja bellydances, I believe on Coney Island around 1904.  It all seems pretty straightforward until she picks up a chair with her teeth and flings it around.  Holy crap, Princess Raja!