steam organ

noun

1. calliope.

steam organ

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of steam organ¹

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

I don’t know if steam organs are still a thing, but if they’ve been retired then I have the perfect replacement: the Floppotron — a mammoth “PC hardware orchestra” that plays music using only electric motors.

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To achieve the trippy circus-organ sounds on “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite,” Mr. Martin assembled a collection of recordings of old Victorian steam organs.

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Outside, the air was jocund with the incessant sounds of singing, calling, penny trumpets, the steam organs of the distant roundabouts, and all the bustle of the holiday.

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We could see the roundabouts, the swings, and so forth, with great clearness, and even, as the wind freshened, catch a faint buzzing noise from the steam organs.

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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.

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