rub-a-dub

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the repeated beating or sound of a drum; a continuous rhythmic drumming

   The distant rub-a-dub of the parade drums grew louder as the band approached.

2. 2
   intj

   used to imitate the sound or rhythm of repeated drumming

   Rub-a-dub, went the little drum at the head of the procession.

An imitative formation representing the repeated sound of a drum. The alternating syllables resemble other English sound words such as rat-a-tat; the closed spelling rubadub is also attested.

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