they worked the carny circuit as showies

[jacdac]

What does the slang term showies mean ?

All the team leaders were long-time Joyland employees who worked the carny circuit as showies in the off-season.

Source : Joyland by Stephen King.

Context background in my own words : This scene is taking place at an amusement ( carnival) park. The is the opening day of the summer season. They are a lot of new hires and some old timers. The old timers had worked the carny circuit as showies in the off season.

Thank you.

 

[RedwoodGrove]

I'm sorry, does SK even know what he means?

 

[MirandaEscobedo]

See "Carny lingo" at Carny Lingo - the Ultimate List

"Carnies" seem to be lower in the pecking order than showmen (showies?) because "they are here today and gone tomorrow".

That's as far as I have got.

 

[jacdac]

Awesome. Thank you. This Carno List is going to be a handy lingo accompaniment for my reading of this novel at a carnival.