steam organ

American  

noun

1. calliope.

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steam organ British  

noun

1. US name: calliope.  a type of organ powered by steam, once common at fairgrounds, in which the pipes are sounded either by a keyboard or in a sequence determined by a moving punched card

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Etymology

Origin of steam organ

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

Then I came across a photograph of my great-grandfather, Job Louis Martin, with his Gavioli steam organ and the name JL Martin & Sons, Belvedere emblazoned on the side.

From The Guardian • Aug. 24, 2012

Snapshot … Elaine Everest's great-grandfather Job and his steam organ.

From The Guardian • Aug. 24, 2012

There was also promenading, and the steam organ attached to a small roundabout filled the air with a pungent flavour of oil and with equally pungent music.

From The Invisible Man by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)

"I guess so—I Bob Guess so!" he added, making a joke on the name of the strange lad who had worked the steam organ of the merry-go-round.

From The Bobbsey Twins at the County Fair by Hope, Laura Lee

When the steam organ was in full blast and the horses were flying round at a merry pace, Mrs. Saumarez bent over Jim Bates and placed half a sovereign in his hand.

From The Revellers by Tracy, Louis