A
freak show is an exhibition of biological rarities, referred to as "freaks of nature". Typical features would be physically unusual humans, such as those uncommonly large or small, those with
both male and female secondary sexual characteristics, people with other extraordinary diseases and conditions, and performances that are expected to be shocking to the viewers. Heavily
tattooed or
pierced people have sometimes been seen in freak shows, as have attention-getting physical performers such as
fire-eating and
sword-swallowing acts.