carney

carney

A woman carneys her cat with gentle strokes.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • A traveling carnival worker: "carney" (also spelled "carny") refers to a person who works at a carnival, especially one who operates rides, games, or concessions.
    • A carnival itself: In informal usage, "carney" can also mean the carnival or fair itself.

  2. Verb:

    • To coax or flatter: "carney" means to persuade someone through flattery or insincere praise, often with the intent to deceive or gain advantage.
Usage Examples

  • Noun:

    • The carney shouted for people to try the ring-toss game. (A carnival worker encouraging participation.)
    • We spent the afternoon at the carney, enjoying the rides. (The carnival event itself.)

  • Verb:

    • He tried to carney the customer into buying a defective watch. (To coax through flattery.)
    • She carneyed her way into the exclusive party by pretending to know the host. (To use flattery to gain entry.)
Advanced Usage

  • "Carney talk": the persuasive, often exaggerated language used by carnival workers to attract customers.

    • The carney talk was full of promises of easy prizes. (The exaggerated sales pitch.)

  • "To carney someone out of something": to cheat or swindle someone through flattery.

    • They carneyed the old man out of his savings. (They tricked him by flattering him.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Carny (n, adj): the more common spelling; refers to a carnival worker or the carnival itself.

    • He was a veteran carny who had traveled the country. (A carnival worker.)

  • Carnival (n): a traveling amusement show with rides, games, and sideshows.

    • The carnival arrives in town every summer. (The event itself.)
Synonyms
  • Flatter: to praise insincerely.
  • Coax: to persuade gently or gradually.
  • Wheedle: to use flattery or charm to obtain something.
Phrasal Verbs
  • Carney up: to approach someone with flattery or persuasion.
    • He carneyed up to the boss to get a promotion. (He flattered the boss to gain an advantage.)
Related Idioms

  • Carney pitch: the persuasive speech used by carnival workers to sell games or products.

    • The carney pitch was so smooth that many people fell for it. (The sales talk was convincing.)

  • To play the carney: to act like a carnival worker, especially by being overly persuasive or deceptive.

    • Don't trust him; he's just playing the carney. (He is being insincerely charming.)