Carney Lingo 101
I'm sure many of you have been dying to find this out. Consider this to actually be more accurate than the list on Wikipedia as well.
Larry - A game customer who spends a lot of money and is fully aware of it
Loughan - A game customer who spends a lot of money and isn't aware of it
Beef - Complaint or a customer who complains
Mooch - (Old School) Someone who begs for free games or discounts (New School) Someone who spends lots of money on a game
"Hey Rube!" - Call for other carnies to jump a problem patron
Stock/Flash - Game prizes
Hard Flash - More expensive game prizes that aren't of the plush or novelty variety (like bicycles, skateboards, iPods, etc.)
Church Call - Meeting that's mandatory for everyone working the midway no matter who they work for
Work Call - Time employees need to show up to work
Show Call - 1 hour before the midway opens when employees need to open everything up, test the rides, etc.
Stock Hook - Drapery hook used to hang game prizes
R-Key - Hitchpin
D-Clip/Diaper Pin - Cotterpin with a locking clip on it
Key to the Midway - Signal that the midway is open (traditionally when the music starts playing on the carousel)
Lock to the Midway - Signal that the midway is closed (traditionally when the lights go out on the ferris wheel)
Donniker - Port-a-John
Ride Jock - Ride Operator
Jointee/Splinterhead - Game Vendor
Clerk - Game Vendor who works build-up games
Kook - Very crooked employee
Green Help - Rookie or temporary labor
Spot Help - Someone who only works 1 fair for the crew
40-Miler - Someone who only works a certain region for the crew
Agent - Experienced game vendor
T.A. (Top Agent) - Game vendor who makes the most money
Showman - A highly experienced worker who can work virtually any department on the midway
Build-up - Game where you trade up smaller prizes for bigger ones
Hanky Pank - Game that's easy to win despite not giving out a prize everytime
Alibi - Game that's very hard to win
Grind - To constantly talk advertising the game
Popper - Food trailer
Floss Wagon - Cotton candy trailer
Cook Shack - Food stand that sits in a tent
Joint - Any game
Stick Joint - Game that sits in a tent
Stick/Splinter - Piece of lumber used to support a tent
Lot Man - Person who sets the locations for all the games, rides, poppers, etc. on the midway
Center Joint - Game with 2 or more sides to play on
Line-Up - Game with only 1 side to play on
Millenium top - Tent that's top peaks in the center
Gable top - Tent that's top slopes down from the center
Circus top - Tent that's top has more than one peak
California joint - Tent that's top only slopes down in one direction
Lead Line - Large cable used to run electricity
Slough - Tearing down the midway
Jump - Trip from one fair to the next
Circus Jump - A jump that takes a long distance with little time to set up
40-Mile Jump - A short-distance jump between fairs
Red Tag - A ride that can't run due to failing inspection (In most states, if the ride fails inspection, the ride inspector hangs a red tag on the control box)
Bunkhouse - A trailer that has several bunks for employees to stay in
Commisary - A Convenience store booth that sells such things as toiletries, snack foods, cigarettes, etc.
Jingle/Hard - Coins
Single - $1
Fin - $5
Sawbuck - $10
Double - $20
1/2 Chip - $50
Yard - $100
G-note/Gee Whiz - $1,000
T.Aing the midway - Priceless
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