ESL Podcast 947 - Seeing a Circus Performance

ta da - a phrase used when one is excited and proud to show another person something

Ta da! What do you think of my new sweater? I made it myself!

circus - a type of entertainment with many trained animals and performers who travel from one place to another and perform inside large tents

The most interesting part of the circus was seeing an elephant balance on top of a large red ball.

to get it in one - to guess the correct answer the first time, without needing to try again and again

We didn't think anyone would be able to guess how many beans were in the jar, but the first person got it in one!

clown - a person who dresses is large, colorful clothing, very large shoes, a round red nose, and a colorful wig (fake hair) and does funny things to make other people laugh

Shane volunteers as a clown at the local hospital to try to make the sick children laugh and forget about their problems.

acrobat - a person who uses his or her body in surprising ways to entertain other people, similar to a gymnast, but often doing things in the air

Wow! Did you see how that acrobat was walking upstairs on his hands?

trapeze artist - a person who entertains audiences by flying through the air from hanging bars and ropes, often catching the arms or legs of other people

Kimi could never be a trapeze artist, because she's afraid of heights.

lion tamer - a person who trains animals to be calm around humans and perform certain tricks

Daphne has worked as a lion tamer for years, but she has never been scratched or bitten, because she is very careful around the animals.

nostalgic - filled with strong feelings, especially when remembering the past and wishing one could return to some earlier time

Attending weddings always makes Timothea nostalgic for her own wedding.

act - one part of a larger show or theatrical performance, usually with a beginning and end

The opening act has to grab the audience's attention, or they might not stay for the rest of the performance.

juggler - a person who keeps several objects in the air, throwing them up one or more at a time, often while performing tricks to entertain other people

Ollie is studying to be a juggler. He's really good with balls and fruit, but he hasn't yet figured out how to juggle larger objects

magician - a person who uses illusions to make it look like he or she is doing things that are impossible and require supernatural forces; a person who performs magic

How could that magician have known what card I had in my hand? That's impossible!

tightrope walker - a person who walks on a small rope high in the air without falling

Did you hear about the tightrope walker who walked over Niagara Falls?

ringmaster - the leader of a circus; the person whose job is to speak to the audience and describe what is happening and who is performing in a circus

The ringmaster began the show by saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the greatest show on earth!"

if you say so - a phrase used when one does not really believe or agree with what another person is saying, but is willing to pretend that one does and not argue about it

A: Being outdoors too much is bad for your health. B: If you say so.