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Organ-grinder
01
a person who plays a hand-cranked organ, typically accompanied by a trained monkey, to entertain passersby on the streets
Who is an "organ-grinder"?
An organ-grinder is a performer who operates a mechanical organ, often called a barrel organ, to produce music. The performer turns a crank on the side of the organ, which causes the internal mechanisms to play a series of tunes. Organ-grinders typically perform in public spaces, such as streets or parks, where they may also have a trained monkey or other small animal to accompany them, adding to the entertainment. Their performances often evoke a nostalgic or traditional atmosphere, providing lively and charming music for passersby.
Example
The organ-grinder's lively tunes filled the air as he cranked the handle of his street organ.
As an organ-grinder, he traveled from town to town, delighting crowds with his music and his monkey's antics.
