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

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

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)

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 Brown, William Perry

The vocal cords do not vibrate as strings, like the strings of a violin, but somewhat as reeds, similar to the reeds of a French harp or reed organ.

From Physiology and Hygiene for Secondary Schools by Walters, Francis M.

I think that old boy standing there in his silk hat and bare feet, playing his little French harp, was the funniest sight I ever saw.

From Sixes and Sevens by Henry, O.

Related Words

• harp