barrel-house
Definition
- Noun:
- A cheap, noisy bar or tavern: "barrel-house" refers to a low-class, often rowdy establishment where alcoholic drinks are sold, typically characterized by loud music and a rough atmosphere.
- A style of jazz piano playing: "barrel-house" also denotes a robust, percussive style of piano music associated with early jazz and blues, often played in such bars.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- He spent his evenings in a smoky barrel-house on the outskirts of town. (A cheap, noisy bar.)
- The pianist played a lively barrel-house tune that got everyone dancing. (A style of jazz piano music.)
Advanced Usage
"barrel-house piano": a specific, energetic style of piano playing with a strong rhythmic drive and bluesy inflections.
- Her barrel-house piano style was influenced by early New Orleans jazz. (A percussive, blues-based piano technique.)
"barrel-house blues": a subgenre of blues music often performed in such establishments.
- The band played a raw barrel-house blues that filled the room with energy. (A rustic, unpolished form of blues.)
Variants and Related Words
- Barrel-house (adj): describing something characteristic of a barrel-house, especially in music.
- The barrel-house beat was infectious and loud. (Relating to the style or atmosphere of a barrel-house.)
Synonyms
- Dive: a low-quality, often disreputable bar.
- Honky-tonk: a type of bar with music, especially country or blues.
- Speakeasy: an illicit bar from the Prohibition era (though usually more secretive than a barrel-house).
Related Idioms
- "Barrel-house rocking": a phrase describing a lively, energetic musical performance or party atmosphere.
- The band had the whole place barrel-house rocking by midnight. (Creating a boisterous, celebratory mood.)