A Circus Was a Circle Long Before It Had Clowns
A circus is a travelling show. The Latin word means circle, which is why London has road junctions called circuses.
A circus is a travelling entertainment of acrobats and performers. The Latin word simply means circle or ring, which explains two things at once: the circus ring is round, and London's Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus are named for circular road junctions rather than for any performance.
- A travelling show. *The circus is in town.*
- A circular junction (British). *Oxford Circus.*
- A chaotic scene. *A media circus.*
- A Roman arena. *The Circus Maximus.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | circus | A visiting circus. |
| Plural | circuses | Travelling circuses. |
| Related | circle | A perfect circle. |
| Related | circuit | A racing circuit. |
| Related | circa | Circa 1890. |
How it is used in a sentence
- The trial became a media circus.Chaotic spectacle.
- Meet me at Piccadilly Circus.A road junction, not a show.
- The Circus Maximus held over a hundred thousand.Roman chariot racing.
Words from *circus*, circle
- Circle — the shape itself
- Circuit — a route that returns to its start
- Circulate — to move around
- Circumference — the distance around
- Search — through French *cerchier*, to go around looking
From Latin *circus*, a ring or circular arena, from Greek *kirkos*. The modern entertainment sense dates from Philip Astley's riding shows in 1770s London.
Why is Piccadilly Circus called a circus?
Because it was designed as a circular road junction. The word means circle, not entertainment.
Who invented the modern circus?
Philip Astley, a British riding master, who established a circular performance ring in London in 1768.