What is freak show?

Freak Show

A freak show is an exhibition of biological rarities, referred to as "freaks of nature". Typical features would be physically unusual humans, such as those uncommonly large or small, those with both male and female secondary sexual characteristics, people with other extraordinary diseases and conditions, and performances that are expected to be shocking to the viewers. Heavily tattooed or pierced people have sometimes been seen in freak shows, as have attention-getting physical performers such as fire-eating and sword-swallowing acts.

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Famous quotes containing the words freak show, freak and/or show:

    The world is for thousands a freak show; the images flicker past and vanish; the impressions remain flat and unconnected in the soul. Thus they are easily led by the opinions of others, are content to let their impressions be shuffled and rearranged and evaluated differently.
    Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749–1832)

    They won’t come to learn, only to stare. I’ll be a freak in a sideshow: Lazarus the Second! Fifty cents to look, a dollar to touch.
    Karl Brown (1897–1990)

    I turn over a new leaf every day. But the blots show through.
    Keith Waterhouse, British screenwriter, Willis Hall, and John Schlesinger. Billy Fisher (Tom Courtenay)