barker

Barker is a person who calls out or shouts to attract customers or crowds to a booth, show, or attraction, commonly at carnivals, fairs, circuses, or street markets. Barkers use loud voice, signs, and demonstrations to entice people to enter a ride, try a game, or buy a ticket. In a carnival setting, a barker may lead visitors to a prize booth or side show and may work with other staff to manage admission and sales. The term is tied to the loud, attention-grabbing style typical of such venues.

Etymology and history: The word derives from the verb bark, reflecting the shouted announcements that characterized early fair and street trading. The role has long been a staple of fairground entertainment, though it is less common in modern professional settings and sometimes viewed negatively when associated with aggressive or deceptive marketing practices at some stalls.

Other uses: Barker is also a surname of English origin and appears as a place name in several English-speaking regions. Notable individuals with Barker as a surname have contributed to fields such as literature, science, and sports. In modern usage, the term can also describe someone who loudly promotes or advertises a product or event in a street context, not necessarily tied to a formal carnival setting.