Plural of carney; carnival workers or people associated with traveling carnivals and circus shows.
Variant spelling of 'carnies,' from 'carnival' with the suffix '-ey' or '-ie.' The word emerged in American English in the late 19th century to describe the itinerant workers of traveling shows and fairs.
Carneys created their own subculture with specialized slang, secret codes, and tight-knit communities—they were so distinctive that writers have been fascinated by them for over a century, treating them as symbols of freedom and danger.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.