Fred Karnos circus

[druiaghtagh]

Origin anyone, my Dad used to sa ut

[maxi2]

You might mean Fred Karno's Army.

Fred Wescott, better known as Fred Karno, transformed the music hall by creating a riot of laughter out of chaos, originating the custard pie in the face.

The poor lad who left Nottingham for a tough apprenticeship as an acrobat in Victorian showbusiness rose through flair and persistence to be one of the greatest impresarios and showmen in the world.

The British Army sang songs about him and his name was often mentioned in the House of Commons to describe a muddle somewhere. Fred Karno's Army meaning a chaotic outfit, became enshrined in the English language.

[fredpuli47]

As a footnote: Both Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel worked for Fred Karno, when they were starting out. Fred Karno knew Stan Laurel's father, a performer, sketch writer and small time producer of stage shows, and had employed Charlie Chaplin's brother, Syd so the young men got introduced to him through them

[Messalina]

My Family still say it. They also announce "Everybody's out of step but or Johnny" when something doesn't quite go to plan.