| A carousel or carrousel (mainly North American English), merry-go-round (international), galloper (international), or roundabout (British English) is a type of amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders. The seats are traditionally in the form of rows of animal figures (usually horses) mounted on posts. Many carousel animal figures move up and down to simulate galloping. Sometimes chair-like or bench-like seats are used, and occasionally mounts can take the form of non-animals, such as airplanes or cars. Carousel rides are typically accompanied by looped circus music. The word carousel derives from the French word carrousel and the Italian word carosello, both meaning little battle, a reference to its original purpose as a means of cavalry training. |
