What does carnying mean?
Carnying is an informal American term for the occupation of a carny — one of the itinerant workers who travel with carnivals and fairs, operating rides, running game booths, and hawking concessions. Derived from 'carny,' itself a clipped form of 'carnival,' the word evokes the rough-and-ready world of midways and traveling shows: long hours, transient living, and a talent for showmanship. It can function as a noun naming this line of work ('years of carnying left its mark on him') or as a verb describing the act itself. Figuratively, calling something 'pure carnying' suggests barker-style hype — loud, colorful persuasion with more sizzle than substance. Because the term belongs to slang rather than formal English, it appears mostly in memoirs, journalism, and conversation about fairground culture, where it conveys both nostalgia and a hint of hustle.
The occupation or activity of working as a carnival employee.
"Carnying taught him how to talk to anyone, anywhere."
Gerund-like verbal noun; informal American English.
To work as a carny at fairs or traveling shows.
"They were carnying their way down the coast when the season ended early."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of carnying
'Carnying' derives from 'carny' (also spelled 'carney' or 'carnie'), an American clipping of 'carnival,' which entered English in the sixteenth century from Italian 'carnevale.' The Italian word descends from Late Latin 'carnelevare' — literally 'to remove meat' — referring to the feasting that preceded Lent's fasting, built on Latin 'caro' (flesh). Thus 'carnying' ultimately traces back to the same Latin root as words like 'carnal' and 'incarnate.' The slang sense arose in late nineteenth-century America alongside traveling circus and carnival culture.
Related word forms
How carnying is actually used
Informal and colloquial, chiefly American. The word carries a slightly rough, romantic connotation of itinerant fairground life and can be mildly pejorative when used figuratively about someone's manner.
Easily confused with carnying
'Canning' means preserving food in sealed jars or cans, whereas 'carnying' refers to working at a carnival; they look similar but share nothing in meaning.