I am really afraid of clowns even though our modern clowns have been around since the 19th century.
I don't blame you!  Clowns are creepy!  Hence the movie "IT".  Why do people have such a fear of them though?
My fear is definitely from IT. Even though clowns are designed to entertain large audience
Where did clowns get there start?  Was it the circus?
Not sure but they go back to at least the 1800s when Joseph Grimaldi became the first mainstream clown
Wow!  I didn't realize they went back that far!  Who was Joseph Grimaldi and where was he from?
Well he was a part of the British Pantomimes and expanded the rowl of the clown in that.
Interesting.  I wouldn't have guessed a Brit was the first clown.  They have such dry humor!  Are there any other famous clowns?
Pierrot was a very popular pantomime as well. He performed unmasked with a large white blouse and wide white pantaloons