About Carousels and Merry-go Rounds
Children and adults love to go on the various rides at fairs, carnivals and amusement parks. There are few rides that can be enjoyed by the whole family, but the merry-go-round and the carousel are ones that anyone can ride.
History
The earliest known variation of these rides dates all the way back to around 500 AD. However, the widely known modern versions have been enjoyed since the early 16th century and were developed in Europe. The first carousel in America was seen in the 1840s in Hessville, Ohio. The word carousel was first coined in the 1650s, while the word merry-go-round was used later. Now, the terms are used interchangeably and generally mean the same thing.
Design
Both a carousel and a merry-go-round are rides that sit on elevated circular platforms that rotate. They both have various animals to ride on, including horses, zebras, lions, tigers and many others. On some rides, the animals move up and down as if they are running. There are even some that have cars, airplanes or trucks instead of animals. Merry-go-rounds and carousels also have seats or benches on them for riders to sit on. There is always upbeat circus-themed music that accompanies the ride.
Urban Legends
The merry-go-round and carousel have long carried their own “urban legends,” as well. Many people believe that they are two different rides with their own individual characteristics. For instance, some have said that a merry-go-round turns clockwise, while a carousel turns counter-clockwise. However, this is not true. It has been suggested that in Britain, the merry-go-round turns opposite of the American version, but even this has been disputed by many ride enthusiasts. It has also been implied that the difference is that a merry-go-round only has horses, while a carousel has a mixture of animals. This, too, is incorrect. In fact, the Merriam-Webster dictionary lists both terms as synonyms of each other.
Whether you call the ride a carousel or a merry-go-round, everyone can agree that it is a family-friendly ride that can be enjoyed by everyone, both young and old!