jingling Johnny

noun

, Music.

1. crescent ( def 6 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of jingling Johnny¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Of course he couldn't have put in Mrs Beethoven, because there wasn't a Mrs Beethoven, unless Millican meant his mum … ladder … Jingling Johnny case!

From The Guardian

There was also an apparatus known as a jingling johnny, figured by Galpin at p.

From Project Gutenberg

A British subaltern bent on improving his mind could encounter an infinitely better preceptor there than "Jingling Johnny," the self-appointed professor to the garrison, who hires himself on Monday, makes you a present of a guitar-tutor on Tuesday, and asks you to favour him with six months' payment in advance on Wednesday.

From Project Gutenberg

The Turkish crescent or “jingling Johnny,” as it was familiarly called in the British army bands, was introduced by the Janissaries into western Europe.

From Project Gutenberg

Another specially military instrument, universal in the Russian army and more or less common to others, is the so-called "Jingling Johnny," a frame of small bells that is sharply shaken in the accented parts of the music.

From Project Gutenberg