Freak show

A freak show is an exhibition of rarities, "freaks of nature"?such as unusually tall or short humans, and people with both male and female secondary sexual characteristics?and performances that are expected to be shocking to the viewers. Heavily tattooed people have sometimes been seen in freak shows, as have fire-eating and sword-swallowing acts.

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Freak shows were popular in the United States from around 1840 to 1940, and were often, but not always, associated with circuses and carnivals. Some shows also contain exhibits containing deformed animals (such as two-headed cows, one-eyed pigs, and four-horned goats), famous hoaxes (such as the famous beheaded swamp monster that was found to be the buttocks of a deer with false eyes and fangs) or simply 'science gone wrong' exhibits (deformed babies caused by smoking, people with tumors covering their faces, etc.).

Tattoo: :For the unrelated Military music tattoo, a parade, see Edinburgh Military Tattoo....

Fire-eating: A fire eater is an entertainer, often a street artist or part of a sideshow. The performer places flaming objects into their mouth and extinguishes them. They also practice controlling and transferring the flame....

Sword-swallowing: Sword swallowing is a dangerous performance art, in which the performer inserts a sword into his mouth and down his esophagus towards his stomach. The name given to this art is technically misleading, as performers have to suppress their gag reflex and not actually swallow for the duration the sword...

Freak show related Images and Photos (experimental)

Show Biz	Show Boat (1951) (DVD)	Late Show, The (DVD)	Show Business
Show Business (DVD)	Hair Show (DVD)	Show Me How	The Show
Big Show	Pet Show	Show Dad How	Side Show