hey rube

noun
1.
(used as a call to rally circus or carnival personnel in a fight, especially in a fight with townspeople).
2.
a fight between townspeople and the members of a circus or carnival.
Origin
1880-85
Slang definitions & phrases for hey rube

hey Rube

noun phrase

The traditional warning and rallying cry of circus and carnival people, used esp when they are attacked by righteously indignant citizens

[1935+ Carnival; fr hay-rube, ''hayseed, rube, rustic,'' found by 1908]