Jew's harp

American  

Or Jews' harp

noun

1. (sometimes lowercase) a small, simple musical instrument consisting of a lyre-shaped metal frame containing a metal tongue, which is plucked while the frame is held in the teeth, the vibrations causing twanging tones.

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jew's-harp British  

noun

1. a musical instrument consisting of a small lyre-shaped metal frame held between the teeth, with a steel tongue plucked with the finger. Changes in pitch are produced by varying the size of the mouth cavities

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Etymology

Origin of Jew's harp

First recorded in 1585–95; perhaps jocular; earlier called Jew's trump

Example Sentences

It sounds something like a Jew’s harp, but much louder.

From Slate • Sep. 30, 2018

It's me for a Jew's harp and a line of novels," said Henty; "no lumbering for mine this winter.

From A Canadian Bankclerk by Buschlen, J. P.

He can play any musical instrument from a sackbut to a Jew's harp, and speak any language from Czech to Choctaw.

From The Sixth Sense A Novel by McKenna, Stephen

In giving some account of the Jew's harp, considered as a medium for musical sounds, we shall only present the result of his discoveries.

From The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 10, No. 269, August 18, 1827 by Various

“Won’t you have the Jew’s harp, if I go and find it?”

From Cutlass and Cudgel by Schonberg, J.