organ grinder

American  

noun

1. an itinerant street musician who earns a living by playing a hand organ or hurdy-gurdy.

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organ-grinder British  

noun

1. a street musician playing a hand organ for money

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Etymology

Origin of organ grinder

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

“We’ll say we saw an organ grinder with a monkey,” suggested Boris.

From Literature

He rates a podcaster below “movies, TV, recording artist, radio personality, mime and organ grinder monkey.”

From Los Angeles Times

It was a monkey and an organ grinder.

From Literature

As the organ grinder reached the end of his song, the crowd applauded, and the monkey danced.

From Literature

He cranks the handle like an organ grinder and more nuggets of phosphate issue forth.

From Washington Post