French harp

American  

noun

Chiefly South Midland U.S.

1. harmonica.

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Etymology

Origin of French harp

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

French harp

Then I do a number with the guit-tar and play the French harp and sing, all at the same time.

From Time Magazine Archive

Somewhere one is playing a tin flute, another is playing a French harp, and some are singing.

From In Africa Hunting Adventures in the Big Game Country by McCutcheon, John T.

But he mastered the mouth-organ,—it was called a French harp in those days,—and before he had put on his first collar, Watts McHurdie had taught the boy to play the accordion.

From A Certain Rich Man by White, William Allen

There were declamations, debates, the interminable, singsong ballads of the frontier, usually accompanied by French harp or fiddle.

From A Mountain Boyhood by Comstock, Enos B. (Enos Benjamin)

But Eliot shook her head doubtfully, and when the boys came up with a banjo and French harp to put the bear through his performances, she watched the dancing at a respectful distance.

From The Little Colonel's House Party by Johnston, Annie F. (Annie Fellows)

Related Words

• harp