barrelhouse

Thân thiện

A lively band plays barrelhouse piano in an old saloon.

Definition

Noun: 1. A cheap, rough, or disreputable establishment for drinking and dancing, often featuring boogie-woogie or early jazz piano music. This term historically refers to low-cost saloons or taverns, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for their lively, informal atmosphere.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The old piano player learned his craft in a noisy barrelhouse down by the docks.
  • After the long journey, they found themselves in a dimly lit barrelhouse, listening to raucous music.
  • The historian described the area as being full of barrelhouses and gambling dens.

Advanced Usage

• Musical Style: The term "barrelhouse" is also used to describe a raw, driving style of blues or boogie-woogie piano music that originated in such establishments.
  • He is famous for his powerful barrelhouse piano playing.

Variants and Related Words

• Barrelhouse piano (noun phrase): The specific style of piano music associated with these venues.
  • The concert featured an amazing set of barrelhouse piano.

Synonyms

• Dive: A disreputable bar or nightclub.
• Honky-tonk: A cheap, noisy bar or dance hall, especially in the southern U.S., often providing country music.
• Juke joint: A similar establishment, particularly in the rural southern U.S., for drinking, dancing, and music.
• Gin mill: (Slang, dated) A bar or saloon.

Related Idioms

• No direct idioms are commonly formed with the single word "barrelhouse." The term itself functions as a vivid descriptor of a specific type of place and its associated culture.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a cheap drinking and dancing establishment

Từ đồng nghĩa

• honky-tonk