oompah

[ oom-pah, oom- ]

noun

1. a repetitious bass accompaniment in music typically provided by brasses.

adjective

1. marked by an oompah:

   oompah band.

oompah

/ ˈuːmˌpɑː /

noun

1. a representation of the sound made by a deep brass instrument, esp in military band music

Word History and Origins

Origin of oompah¹

First recorded in 1875–80; imitative

Example Sentences

Facing intense criticism was not new for Scotland head coach Steve Clarke when his dejected players left Germany to the sound of a Bavarian oompah band after a deflating Euros campaign in the summer.

From BBC

Christmastown’s Village of Lights runs from November 24 through December 24 and features festive live entertainment in the tiny replica Bavarian town, including carolers, oompah bands and Christmas characters.

From Seattle Times

Enormous Klan rallies, promoted from Protestant pulpits, featured oompah bands and barbershop quartets.

From Washington Post

And the remaining taps feature Germany and Czech beers if you long for the old oompah Queen Anne Beerhall.

From Seattle Times

The solemn "All the Love" features a relatively straightforward guitar-bass-drums combo, while Bush's piano work throughout is full of verve and bounce — a jaunty waltz here, matching an oompah band there — but restrained where needed.

From Salon