Jew's harp

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a small plucked instrument held against the teeth or lips, whose flexible tongue vibrates while the player's mouth changes the tone

   The musician plucked the tongue of the Jew's harp to produce a rhythmic twanging sound.

The English name is attested from the late medieval or early modern period, but its first element has no securely established explanation or proven connection to Jewish music or culture. Because the traditional name can be perceived as ethnically insensitive, jaw harp, mouth harp, and trump are also used.

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