Barnstormers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A collective of entertainers that tours diverse locales to captivate crowds with theatrical or musical performances
2. Individuals who traverse regions to provide live entertainment experiences, including drama and music, to local communities
3. Groups of entertainers who move from place to place presenting live shows ; aviators performing daring maneuvers and aerial stunts for spectators

Etymology: "Barnstormers" is the plural of "barnstormer", which is formed from "barnstorm" plus the agent suffix "-er". The core of the word is "barn," and the compound's original sense is literal: a barnstorm was a rural tour in which performers, often actors, flyers, or politicians, travelled from town to town and put on shows wherever a space could be found, frequently in barns. The suffix has a long lineage. The "-er" ending descends from Latin "-arius," which passed through Old French "-ier" and entered Middle English as "-er," giving a pattern of forming nouns for people who do something. The verb "storm" in "barnstorm" was used in the sense of rushing about or making a vigorous assault, so the combined image is of performers who swept through rural communities with energy and speed.

Synonyms: performers, entertainers, exhibitionists