Holy cow, I love Mental Floss. It allows me to act smart at parties, and know so much stuff, both useful and useless. If you have an ounce of curiosity, add them to your RSS feed.
Earlier today, I was reading a story about famous fires, which was sad. (The link above will lead you to the article.) Included in the informative piece was a section about the Hartford Circus Fire including this fantastic fact:
The flames fed on the gasoline-lined tent and the fire spread very quickly. Merle Evans, the circus’ band leader, spotted flames licking up the rear sidewall and immediately directed the band to play “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” the universal circus distress signal. The performers heard the song and immediately abandoned their routines.
(emphasis mine.) How amazingly wonderful that there’s an official distress song for circuses! And that it actually got used once! Just one more random fact to tuck away in the back of my head on the shelf space that was once occupied by trigonometry, a fact I can possibly use in the future when I persue my calling as a trapeze artist.
Posted by nancypearlwannabe on October 26, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Someday, when you’ve forgotten about this post, I am going to call you and leave this song on your voicemail. And you will know I need IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE.
Posted by stefanie on October 26, 2009 at 9:14 pm
I thought that sort of forward thinking and caution was reserved for the Boy Scouts. But do the Boy Scouts have a universal distress signal?? OK, they probably do, but Mental Floss hasn’t told me yet.
Also, the gymnastics center where I’m taking trampoline classes has circus skills classes (including trapeze). One more reason for you to move to Minnesota, my friend.
Posted by Kate on October 26, 2009 at 9:31 pm
If you haven’t read Water for Elephants, I highly recommend it. The opening chapter references this very fact.
I wish I had a universal distress call.
Posted by jennifer on October 27, 2009 at 1:49 am
My universal distress call is “Marshmallows! For the love of all that is good give me some Marshmallows!” It may never be put to music but when folks hear it they dive for cover.
And now I will FREAK. OUT. if I’m at the circus and The Stars and Stripes Forever begins to play. Thanks for that tid bit of terrifying information.
Posted by bing on October 27, 2009 at 11:05 am
Wow, I have been reading about horrific fires since reading your post. That is some scary stuff.
Like Jennifer said, I hope I never hear The Stars and Stripes Forever at the circus…
Posted by lizgwiz on October 27, 2009 at 11:26 am
Kate beat me to the “Water for Elephants” reference.
Posted by Allie on October 30, 2009 at 10:46 am
Wow. Now I want to have a song for every possible purpose. What tune should I set “Dog, stop smacking your water dish!” to? Or, “I don’t want to make dinner tonight, find something edible in the fridge and leave me alone.”
Posted by Lara on October 30, 2009 at 2:50 pm
That is awesome. Universal Circus Distress Call!
Posted by Lara on October 30, 2009 at 2:51 pm
PS, if I ever start a band, it’s going to be called Universal Circus Distress.
Posted by Lara on October 30, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Also, why does your blog care whether I post comments too quickly or not?
Posted by Grey Boy on October 30, 2009 at 7:44 pm
While the Grey Boy (fondly) remembers teal tights and pink fringe from his circus days, he recalls no distress signal. Unless the signal was the teal tights and pink fringe.
Posted by Courtney on October 31, 2009 at 9:26 pm
An awesome (and, OK, cruel) practical joke would be to bring a boombox to the circus and start blasting Stars & Stripes Forever. The audience would be so confused.