organ grinder

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

Origin of organ grinder

First recorded in 1800–10

Then the organ-grinder let them go and he took Budulinek home to Granny.

The Shoemaker's Apron |Parker Fillmore
The organ-grinder might play there all day and the stick would not thump.

The Garden Party |Katherine Mansfield
Smokey nursed him, while Jimmy and the organ-grinder worked harder and raised enough money to get a doctor.

The Boy Scouts Book of Stories |Various
To the only woman on earth who sings base enough, they sends this dingus and the organ-grinder.

A Man in the Open |Roger Pocock

The negative was a sufficient witness, and the organ-grinder was at once sought for, but the earth seemed to have swallowed him.

Witch Winnie |Elizabeth W. Champney

organ-grinder

a street musician playing a hand organ for money