Circus clown is a performer which works in the circus and uses physical humor to entertain the

audience. They often wear colorful clothing, makeup, wigs and exaggerated footwear. World clown
comes from the Icelandic word “klunni” which means “a clumsy person”.

The first known clowns date from the time of the Fifth dynasty of Egypt, around 2400 BC. Later
civilizations also knew about clowns. Early clowns were also priests and their roles were almost
indivisible. Clowns of ancient Greece were bald and wore padded clothes to appear larger. Ancient
Roman clowns wore pointed hats and were the butts of the jokes. Italian commedia dell'arte of the 16th
century introduced masked characters Arlecchino (Harlequin) and Pierrot (Pirouette).

In time some standard types of clowns developed:

Whiteface clown was originally designed by Joseph Grimaldi in 1801. It has its face and neck covered
with white makeup, mouth painted in a grin, and black eyebrows. His clothes are extravagant and he is a
sophisticated character. He has the highest status in the clown hierarchy.

Auguste has his face painted in pink, red, or tan. His mouth and eyes are painted white and his lips and
eyebrows are black. His clothes can be well-fitted or completely opposite. His character is that of an
anarchist, a joker, or a fool.

The character clowns are parodies of different types like a butcher, a baker, a policeman, a housewife or
a hobo. Standard subtypes of this type developed in North America are The Hobo, The Tramp, and The
Bum. The Hobo travels and has no luck but has a positive attitude. The Tramp is the same but without
positive attitude and always sad.

Some of famous clowns from the history are still remembered:

Joseph Grimaldi was an English artist who practically invented the modern clown. After him, even today
clowns are called “Joey”.

Matthew Sully was the first circus clown in the United States. He performed in Ricketts's circus and was
a Harlequin, tumbler and a singer.

John Durang was the first "American-born" circus clown. He also performed in Ricketts's circus.
Jean Baptiste Casmiere Breschard brough back circus clowns into Untited States in 1804 after a dry spell
when no circuses worked.

Joe Pentland was an early modern clown which had a sketch in which he would appear at the circus as a
drunken sailor and offered to ride a horse. After a few failures, falls and laughter from the audience he
would strip into his leotard and start riding with a skill.

Clowns , as all artists, have their own slang:

Clown Alley : a part of a backstage where clowns dress and where they hold their props.

Boss Clown : a clown reposible for leading the other clowns.

Charivari : a type of acrobatic clown routine.

Carpet Clown : a clown who starts his act from the audience for a better comedic effect.

First of May : a name for a novice performer without previous experience.

Truper : a name for a performer with a considerable experience – the one who has spent at least one
full season with the circus – a seasoned veteran.

Depending on who you ask, clowns are either harmless fun or the stuff of nightmares. But no matter
where your opinion falls, there’s a lot going on beneath the face paint of this surprisingly old profession.
There’s even a story behind the iconic red nose: It can be traced to a member of the Fratellini family
named Albert, who originated the Auguste clown archetype—complete with the world debut of the
bright red clown nose. Now make like a clown car and stuff as many of these facts in your head as you
can.

1. THERE REALLY ARE A LOT OF CLOWNS IN CLOWN CARS.

It’s tempting to think the clown car gag is an illusion, but according to Greg DeSanto, executive director
of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, “There’s no trick to the clown-car gag.” He
told Car and Driver that “there are no trap doors in stadium floors, and the cars are real cars.” Instead,
the car is gutted of its interior, and all windows are painted over except for a peephole for the driver,
who sits on a milk crate. "Then," DeSanto said, "it’s a matter of shoving in the clowns.” A compact car
can fit between 14 and 21 clowns.

2. YOU CAN ATTEND GRIMALDI'S FUNERAL—AND DANCE ON HIS GRAVE.

Joseph Grimaldi was one of the world’s first circus clowns, and he made his biggest mark on the
profession in 1806 with his rogue-meets-fool clown character. Pantomime clowns—a.k.a. Joeys—get
their clown makeup from him. Grimaldi’s work is honored by his present-day peers every year on the
first Sunday of February at the Holy Trinity Church in London. You can celebrate one of history’s greatest
clowns, too, by heading to north London, where artist Henry Krokatsis installed musical tiles over his
grave. Tap your feet to play "Hot Codlins," a tune Grimaldi was known for.

3. THE CREEPY CLOWN FAD HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE '80s.

Mysterious clown run-ins currently abound, but this isn’t the first time people have used clown
costumes to frighten their community. In 1981, there were reports of men dressing as clowns and
harassing school children in Boston. Later that spring, Kansas City kids reported being chased by clowns.
Sightings have popped up in the news periodically ever since. The World Clown Association has had to
contend with their profession being besmirched by these jokers, and they’re not happy about it.

4. CLOWNS MUST FOLLOW THE EIGHT CLOWN COMMANDMENTS.

Being a clown is no laughing matter, and Clowns of America International asks professionals to follow
the Clown Commandments. They include "remember[ing] that a good clown entertains others by
making fun of himself or herself and not at the expense or embarrassment of others," promising not to
smoke or drink when in makeup or costume, and to "remove my makeup and change into my street
clothes as soon as possible following my appearance, so that I cannot be associated with any incident
that may be detrimental to the good name of clowning."

5. THERE'S CURRENTLY A CLOWN SHORTAGE.

With standards rising for clowning, and its popularity amongst millennials falling, clowning just isn’t
what it used to be. The World Clown Association, the nation’s largest clown trade group, says
membership is down about 28 percent since 2004. A lifetime career as a clown can also be daunting due
to low pay and tough competition. In 2013, Ringling Brothers only had 26 clowns in its three circuses.

6. CLOWNING WAS ONCE CONSIDERED A FEMINIST ACT.

In 1895, The New York Times dubbed Evetta Mathews “the only lady clown on earth.” The newspaper
was being hyperbolic (lady clowns Amelia Butler and Irene Jewell Newton were Mathews’s
predecessors), but, as a female clown, the 25-year-old was a rare sight for her time, and her clowning
was framed as an example of women’s emancipation. Mathews herself said that despite her circus
family disapproving, she felt like she had chosen her big top career well. Being a clown meant fewer
chances of being injured and more opportunities to write her own skits.

7. YOU CAN VISIT A CLOWN MOTEL NEXT TO A GRAVEYARD.

Wayne Stadler, Flickr // CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

If you happen to roll into the tiny town of Tonopah, Nevada and prefer your motels on the spooky side,
check into the Clown Motel for the night. A desert oasis made of pure nightmare fuel, you’ll find clown
dolls and images everywhere you turn. Don’t forget to enjoy the view while you’re there, either: This
motel is right next door to an early-1900s graveyard.