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

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 William Allen White

The evening passed quietly, the foreman talking but little, though he entertained Ralph for a time by playing on a French harp, or mouth organ.

From Ralph Granger's Fortunes by William Perry Brown

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 Annie F. (Annie Fellows) Johnston

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

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

Related Words

• harp