raree show

American  

[rair-ee] / ˈrɛər i /

noun

1. peep show.

2. a carnival or street show; spectacle.

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raree show British  

/ ˈrɛəriː /

noun

1. a street show or carnival

2. another name for peepshow

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Etymology

Origin of raree show

First recorded in 1695–1705; allegedly imitative of a foreign pronunciation of rare show

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

raree show

She wanted to see what sort of raree show an author was; and to let him know, that though Dunbar was but a little town, yet it was not destitute of people of parts.

From The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence. With a New Life of the Poet, and Notices, Critical and Biographical by Allan Cunningham by Robert Burns

After the vice-regal raree show was over, and that the grand folk had been properly bowed into their carriages, and had fairly driven away, there was some diversion to be had.

From Tales and Novels — Volume 09 by Maria Edgeworth

What's past is not to come, with a hey, with a hey, Now safe is David's bum, with a ho; Then hey for Oxford ho, Strong government, raree show, With a hey, &c.

From The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 07 by Sir Walter Scott

That monstrous foul beast, with a hey, with a hey, Has houses twain in's chest, with a ho; O Cowper, Hughes, and Snow, Stop thief with raree show, With a hey, &c.

From The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 07 by Sir Walter Scott

Such thoughts, steady our faith; yet there will rise Some natural tears into the calmest eyes— Which gaze where forest princes haughty go, Made for a gaping crowd a raree show.

From Summer on the Lakes, in 1843 by Margaret Fuller

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