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Luckily, ponies and camels are called ponies and camels!

Every profession has its own language, from parenting to professional wrestling. The circus is no different! Since May is the traditional beginning of the circus season, I thought you might enjoy learning some circus lingo.

First, there's the difference between troupers and townies. Troupers are the circus folk; townies are the residents. Troupers who are just starting out on their first seasons with the circus are First of Mays.

If the show moves by truck and trailer and performs under a tent (a big top), it's known as a mud show. Believe me, in bad weather that name is very descriptive!

The performers and crew eat in the cookhouse. While you might think that cherry pie is dessert, on the circus it's a side job that enables you to earn extra money. But as long as I've whetted your appetite, how about some floss - I mean, cotton candy?

The show sets up on the lot. You'll pass through the midway on the way to the big top, where you can buy souvenirs and snacks. Around the back of the big top is the back yard, where the troupers live. By the way, if you have to go to the bathroom, ask for directions to the doniker.

What about the clowns? The group of clowns on a circus is the clown alley. There are three types of clowns: whiteface, whose face is mostly white; auguste, whose face is mostly flesh-colored; and the hobo, whose face is usually sad and bearded. Every clown alley has a lead clown; that clown is the Boss Clown.

Now you know a few of the terms that make the circus unique. May all your days be circus days!