organ grinder

noun

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

organ-grinder

noun

1. a street musician playing a hand organ for money

Word History and Origins

Origin of organ grinder¹

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

Johnson is on a short leash and looks like a trained monkey with an organ grinder named Trump.

From Salon

It was a monkey and an organ grinder.

From Literature

As the organ grinder reached the end of his song, the crowd applauded, and the monkey danced.

From Literature

He cranks the handle like an organ grinder and more nuggets of phosphate issue forth.

From Washington Post