Merry Go Round at Park? Please Answer!!?

Question

You know the thing at the park where you spin it round and round and round and then jump onto it? It's usually rainbow colored. Everyone in my family calls it a Merry-Go-Round, but I don't think that's what it's really called. Does anyone know the real name of it?

Thanks in advance.

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Answer 1

I know what you're talking about!  I've always heard them called a merry go round, too though...

Answer 2

i have always called the things with horses, or other animals, (like in mary poppins) merry-go-rounds.

i think what you are talking about is a roundabout?

i think this is a merry-go-round (or carousel):

http://www.freefoto.com/images/11/06/11_...

and this is a roundabout:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/43889...

but i have heard the latter being referred to as merry-go-rounds too.

Wikipedia says:

A carousel (or carrousel) is an amusement ride consisting of a rotating platform with seats for passengers. The "seats" are traditionally in the form of wooden horses or animals, which are often moved mechanically up and down to simulate galloping... Other popular names are merry-go-round, roundabout and flying horses. "Carousel" is the name most often used in North America, while in Europe the term "merry-go-round" is more common; in context, though, all the terms listed would generally be understood throughout the English-speaking world.

In a playground, a roundabout or merry-go-round is usually a simple, child-powered rotating platform with bars or handles to which children can cling while riding.

Answer 3

i've always called that piece of playground equipment a merry-go-round. the carnival ride i refer to as a carousel