organ grinder

American  

noun

1. an itinerant street musician who earns a living by playing a hand organ or hurdy-gurdy.

---

organ-grinder British  

noun

1. a street musician playing a hand organ for money

---

Etymology

Origin of organ grinder

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

He rates a podcaster below “movies, TV, recording artist, radio personality, mime and organ grinder monkey.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 17, 2024

There are memories, too -- the triptych “Beginnings” is a personal compendium of defining childhood influences -- an organ grinder, an upside-down Puss in Boots, a globe showing America and an art-loving uncle.

From BusinessWeek • Dec. 9, 2011

Finally he stumbles on a shabby organ grinder standing barefoot on the frozen ground with dogs snarling at him.

From Slate • Nov. 29, 2011

His memories of life there in the late 19th-century were mostly good, until an organ grinder came to town.

From New York Times • Aug. 2, 2010

Although she followed the band, Francie liked the organ grinder better.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith