freak show

noun

1. a display of people or animals with unusual or grotesque physical features, as at a circus or carnival sideshow.
2. any ludicrous, bizarre, or dehumanizing occasion, function, performance, etc.; grotesque, circuslike event:

   endless interviews and auditions that became a ridiculous freak show.

Word History and Origins

Origin of freak show¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

While 2003 was a real freak show, there was a legitimacy to it because the No.

From Voice of San Diego

Freak Show, then, by its very name should be his crowning achievement.

From The Daily Beast

Of course, though, this is titled Freak Show, and accordingly there is plenty to marvel at.

From The Daily Beast

American Horror Story: Freak Show, it seems, is a revenge tale.

From The Daily Beast

In other hands, this scenario might have degenerated into a caricature-filled freak show.

From The Daily Beast

And watch the freak show when the president proposes comprehensive immigration reform and moves forward on gun control.

From The Daily Beast

The week before, part of a disbanded freak show had taken refuge in the camp-yard.

From Project Gutenberg

"I admit I shouldn't have a look in with him if we were both candidates for a Freak Show," he conceded.

From Project Gutenberg