An Americanism dating back to 1855–60
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The opera’s second act begins with a scene showing Anne at home with Susan, using an old-fashioned carpet sweeper.
From New York Times ● Jan. 22, 2020
“I love my carpet sweeper music,” he said.
From New York Times ● Jan. 22, 2020
But should the bedroom tea-maker, the carpet sweeper and the hostess trolley be consigned to the dustbin of history?
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2018
One of the most popular non-electrical labour-saving devices was the mechanical carpet sweeper, which first went on sale in Britain in 1889.
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2018
Use the carpet sweeper, being careful not to knock the furniture nor to jar the bed.
From Scouting For Girls, Official Handbook of the Girl Scouts by Bacon, Josephine Dodge Daskam
What the mischief are you hanging about for, Brown?” he asked, turning to the steward, who was standing by with a carpet-sweeper in his hand.
From The Black Box by Oppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips)
They have many household conveniences: running water in a barrel, a blue flame oil stove, a bread-mixer, and a carpet-sweeper.
From The American Country Girl by Crow, Martha Foote
She could dust and run the carpet-sweeper over the rooms right away, and have them in order; and that would save time for to-morrow.
From Cloudy Jewel by Hill, Grace Livingston
When you remove the waste from your carpet-sweeper, carefully cut the lint and hair from the revolving rolls and brushes.
From Food and Health by Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company
Romola flew to the kitchen and borrowed an apron from the cook, tied a duster round her head, seized up a pail and a carpet-sweeper, and came as 'Domestic Service.'
From Monitress Merle by Brazil, Angela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
