clown car

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A circus clown routine in which an implausibly large number of clowns climb into or out…

   A circus clown routine in which an implausibly large number of clowns climb into or out of a small car.

   • Kids of all ages have been applauding the clown car trick for more than 60 years, ever since it was first introduced in 1950 by master clown Otto Griebling at the Cole Brothers Circus.
   • It looked as if around fifty people got out and it reminded me of a clown car at a circus.
2. 2

   The undersized car used in a circus clown car routine.

   • Tiny chugging clown cars drive into the arena, and clown after clown after clown climbs out, enough to fill a bus.
   • My first experience of clown, like most people, was at the circus. I cried. The clown car exploded and fell apart. I cried.
3. 3

   A very small car.

   • The two-stroke-engine powered, built-with-communist-pride Trabant — a very small, two-door, clown car that resembles a shrunken '55 Chevy — does not particularly excite me.
   • Eleven days later, Madame Chabosson met us at her office parking lot and the five of us squeezed ourselves into her little clown car.
   • A security officer sat in his little clown car about thirty yards away.
4. ›+ 4 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      A car or small enclosed space with too many people or things in it.

      • At the grocery store, a clown car as everyone unfolds, gets out, stretches legs and goes inside, stopping a moment in appreciation of air conditioning.
      • I hope you enjoy this endlessly overstuffed clown car of trivia (Ken Jennings's Trivia Clown Car?).
   2. 5

      Any process with a comically large number of participants, especially participants who…

      Any process with a comically large number of participants, especially participants who themselves are comical or ridiculous.

      • clown-car primaries
      • So the best explanation for Romney's tumble was the terrible publicity of the clown car debates, combined with the attack ads launched against him by Newt Gingrich via Sheldon Adelson.
   3. 6

      A car for clowns, especially the car of a circus train that carries the clowns.

      • I lost complete track of Frank Sinatra and while I was hunting for him I saw a fellow with my tramp makeup on, waiting to get into the clown car.
      • Well, you said you wanted to see the rest of the train. You know, the clown car and all.
      • Besides, the Local Brotherhood of Clowns, Mimes and Tumblers would put my ass in a sling if I violated the sanctity of the clown car.
   4. 7

      A car that looks gaudy or otherwise ridiculous.

      • Through our parade fees we have purchased a 1938 LaSalle hearse (which we painted red and yellow) and our own public address system, which is mounted on our clown car (hearse).
      • Their curses could be heard late into the evening, when one by one they would climb into dilapidated clown cars and speed away.

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