merry-go-round

noun merry-go-rounds

1. Synonym of carousel (“a pleasure ride, typically found at amusement parks and fairs and accompanied by music, consisting of a slowly revolving circular platform on which are fixed various seats, frequently shaped like horses or other animals, cars, etc., which may also move up and down”). When we left the Madeleine we took our way to the Place de la Concorde, and thence through the Elysian Fields […] There were merry-go-rounds, wooden horses, and other provision for children's amusements among the trees; […]

   Similar: giddy-go-round, go-round, merry-go-around, merry-go-whirl, roundabout, whirligig, carousel

2. attributive, often A freight train of hopper wagons which loads and unloads its cargo while moving continuously on a circular track, often incorporating a balloon loop. Some of the desirable characteristics of the "Merry-go-round" railway described in this article are found in the Tyne Dock–Consett iron ore traffic of the N.E.R. [North Eastern Railway]. The ore is carried in high capacity wagons, run in trains of fixed formation. A triangle at the Consett works ena

   Similar: giddy-go-round, go-round, merry-go-around, merry-go-whirl, roundabout, whirligig

3. US A piece of playground equipment consisting of a circular platform that is made to revolve by pushing while users stand on it.

   Similar: giddy-go-round, go-round, merry-go-around, merry-go-whirl, roundabout, whirligig, carousel

4. figuratively A bustle of activity; also, a meaningless cycle of activity. Come join the fun, it's a merry-go-round / Everyone's dancing their troubles away
5. figuratively A series of singles and doubles that allows the batting team to score while still having runners on base who can be driven in by the next batter. Russell kept the merry-go-round moving with an RBI single that advanced Henderson to third.
6. Kenya, figuratively An informal cooperative scheme in which members (often women) regularly contribute money to a pool, the collected money being then paid out to one of the members; this is repeated so that every member eventually receives money. The collected money may also be invested, or loaned to members.

   Similar: chit fund, ROSCA, susu, tanda