the big top. Back Yard — The area behind the big top where props, animals, and performers are readied for a circus performance, and where housing trailers are parked away from public view. The privacy of this area is jealously guarded, for two reasons. First, it can be dangerous, especially for idiots who think it might be cool to sneak into the elephant tent and see them up close. Second, as Bruce Feiler wrote in Under the Big Top, "The only way to survive in the circus was to build a private world of one's own. Circus people … are like tigers: they have a tendency to devour their own. Those who survive do so by living in a tiny cage and only coming out when they havelot manager for the sideshow as well. "Tentmaster" is a more common modern term. Boss Elephant Man — Supervisor of the pachyderms. Boss Hostler — The man who traveled ahead of the mud shows to mark the way for the caravan; sometimes used to denote the one in charge of all horses in a show. Brodie — An accidental fall (but one which has an element of stupidity or clumsiness, rather than disaster). From the name of Steve Brodie, who in 1886 claimed to have survived a jump off the Brooklyn Bridge. Bugs — Chameleons or green anole lizards sold as novelties by butchers. Bullhook or Ankus or Elephant Guide — The dull pointed stick used by elephant trainers to "get the elephant's attention" and guide the animals