circus

Where it comes from

Circus ordinarily means a travelling show or arena featuring acrobatics, clowns, and other performances. Latin circus meant a ring or circular line and named Roman arenas and oval racecourses, especially the Circus Maximus. It is related to Greek kirkos, circle or ring, and belongs to the same broad family as circle. English first used circus for ancient Roman venues.

How the meaning developed

The modern entertainment grew from Philip Astley's eighteenth-century equestrian ring; his rival Charles Dibdin called his venue the Royal Circus, helping transfer the old arena word to the show and its company.