minstrel

[ min-struhl ]

noun

1. a medieval poet and musician who sang or recited while accompanying himself on a stringed instrument, either as a member of a noble household or as an itinerant troubadour.
2. a musician, singer, or poet.
3. one of a troupe of comedians, usually white men in blackface, presenting songs, jokes, etc., and portraying negative racial stereotypes.

minstrel

/ ˈmɪnstrəl /

noun

1. a medieval wandering musician who performed songs or recited poetry with instrumental accompaniment
2. a performer in a minstrel show
3. archaic.
   any poet, musician, or singer

Word History and Origins

Origin of minstrel¹

1175–1225; Middle English ministrel < Old French < Late Latin ministeriālis servant (noun use of adj.); ministerial

Word History and Origins

Origin of minstrel¹

C13: from Old French menestral, from Late Latin ministeriālis an official, from Latin minister

Example Sentences

As I think about the 2024 election, I keep hearing the lyrics of Irish poet Thomas Moore’s song “The Minstrel Boy”:

From Salon

His father, who died when Marshall was 10, occasionally sang in a minstrel act and Marshall’s sister, actor Joanne Dru, worked as a showgirl at the Copa Club.

From Los Angeles Times

The practice of blackface traces back to racist minstrel shows in the early 19th century where non-Black actors darkened their skin with makeup to portray caricatures of Black people — who were widely shut out from mainstream entertainment spaces.

From Los Angeles Times

At the newly popular and lavish Hotel del Coronado, minstrel shows featured white performers in blackface.

From Los Angeles Times

However, the banjo's creation eventually became a blending between West African and European traditions mostly due to minstrel shows in the 1800s.

From Salon

Related Words

• troubadour