showman n : a sponsor who books and stages public entertainments [syn: promoter, impresario]

English

Etymology

show + man

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -əʊmən

Noun

1. a person who owns or runs a fairground
2. a theatrical impresario or promoter

Showman can have a variety of meanings, usually by context.

Travelling Showmen are people who organise and run fairgrounds. In the past, it has also been used for the people who organized freak shows, sideshows, circuses and travelling theatre troupes.

The term Showman, can also be meant as a superlative or complimentary term, sometimes used as an accolade or quasi-title, such as in the documentary name: Harry Saltzman: Showman.

Showmen in the United States are also male dancers or performers in shows, usually alongside showgirls- an example would be Gene Kelly in the film Singin' in the Rain.

"Showman" ("şovmen" in Turkish) word refers to talk show host in Turkey. This show can be performed individually (talking with public by telephone) in Turkish TV's.

Showman may also refer to a line of guitar amplifiers manufactured by Fender.

MC, auteur, ballyhoo man, barker, callboy, costume designer, costumer, costumier, director, emcee, equestrian director, exhibitor, impresario, makeup man, master of ceremonies, playreader, producer, prompter, ringmaster, scenewright, set designer, spieler, stage director, stage manager, theater man, theatrician, ticket collector, usher, usherer, usherette