balladmonger

American  

[bal-uhd-mong-ger, -muhng-] / ˈbæl ədˌmɒŋ gər, -ˌmʌŋ- /

noun

1. a seller of ballads.

2. an inferior poet.

---

balladmonger British  

/ ˈbælədˌmʌŋɡə /

noun

1. (formerly) a seller of ballads, esp on broadsheets

2. derogatory a writer of mediocre poetry

---

Other Word Forms

• balladmongering noun

Etymology

Origin of balladmonger

First recorded in 1590–1600; ballad + monger

Example Sentences

Jean Francois was a vagabond by nature, a balladmonger by profession.

From Orpheus in Mayfair and Other Stories and Sketches by Baring, Maurice

The second Earl was his son, also Henry, who fought at Chevy Chase; he was not, however, slain there, as the balladmonger says, but at St. Albans.

From Highways and Byways in Sussex by Griggs, Frederick Landseer Maur

Let him dwindle into a modish balladmonger; let him worship and be-sing the idols of the time, and the time will not fail to reward him,—if, indeed, he can endure to live in that capacity!

From Life of Robert Burns by Carlyle, Thomas