plinky-plonky

comparative more plinky-plonky · superlative most plinky-plonky

1. informalentertainmentEspecially of a musical instrument such as a piano: making sharp, tinny sounds; plinky.

   [I]t was just a plinky-plonky piano thing that would serve you just as well at the airport as at your funeral.

   1995, Nick Hornby, chapter 25, in High Fidelity, New York, N.Y.: Riverhead Books, published August 1995, →ISBN, page 233

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   "Plinky Plonky" is the title of a novelty fox-trot waltz, the composition of Mr. Harry Slogden, which is one of the features of the Drury Lane pantomime, and promises to be a very successful number.

   [1919 December 31, “Pantomime Song Hits. All the Winners. [West and Co.’s Pantomime Features.]”, in The Era, volume 83, number 4,241, London: [s.n.], →OCLC, page 37, column 3

   The combination which gets nearest to having ensemble Swing as we now know it is King Oliver's. This seems to be due to the fact that, in spite of the inevitable plinky-plonky banjo, it has the best rhythm section.

   1936 March, Edgar Jackson, “Swing Music Reviewed: More Light on the History and Origin of Jazz in New Brunswick Albums of ‘Classic Swing’”, in Compton Mackenzie, Christopher Stone, editors, The Gramophone, volume XIII, number 154, London: Gramophone Publications, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 428, column 2

   The banjoists in particular eschewed the plinky-plonky upstrokes that the dance bands of the period favoured, and instead kept a steady and uncluttered four-in-a-bar going which was complemented by the 'walking' left-hand arpeggios of pianist Lil Hardin.

   1978, Humphrey Lyttelton, “King Oliver”, in The Best of Jazz: Basin Street to Harlem: Jazz Masters and Masterpieces, 1917–1930, London: Robson Books, →ISBN, page 46

   And when I do my piano practice in the parlour, the piano sounds very thin and plinky-plonky. I think it's quite old because the keys are yellow, much smaller than our Bechstein and the candle-holders are still on it.

   1992, Pauline Collins, “Killarney”, in Letter to Louise, London; New York, N.Y.: BCA, →OCLC, page 82

   The Hunt for Red October […] Potentially a very good game, but ruined by both poor graphics and sound. […] [I]f you can put up with the plinky plonky sound and jerky graphics there is still something of a game to be salvaged from the wreckage.

   1992 June, Barg [pseudonym], “Console Countdown”, in Paul Lakin, editor, Game Zone, number 8, London: Dennis Publishing, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 101, column 4

2. informalentertainmentHaving a simple, repetitive, percussive melody.

   Plinky-plonky eastern music played tinnily from a speaker annoyingly placed above our heads.

   2016, Margaret B. McLean, “Full of Eastern Promise”, in Food from the Heart, […] Latimer Trend & Company, page 65

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   It tends to be a social activity, so in most nûat phǎen boraan [traditional massage] places don't be surprised to hear the gossip of the day rather than plinky-plonky New Age music.

   2007, China Williams [et al.], “Chiang Mai Province”, in Thailand, 12th edition, Footscray, Melbourne, Vic.: Lonely Planet Publications, →ISBN, page 292

1. informalentertainmentUsed to represent a series of sharp, tinny sounds, especially those made by a musical instrument such as a piano: plinkety.

   She put another record on the turntable and gently lowered the needle. Plinky plonky plinky plonky— […]

   1984, Jennifer Johnston, The Railway Station Man, London: Flamingo, Fontana Paperbacks, Collins Publishing Group, published 1986, →ISBN, page 65

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   […] PET SOUNDS will remain a landmark in modern music and Wouldn't It Be Nice is, for me, the best track. It starts so innocently – plinky plonky, plinky, plonky – BAM! – a drumbeat to rival anything out of the '1812' – and there's Brian [Wilson], soaring through the octaves, sounding so confident in his newly found inspiration.

   1983 February, Chris White, “… And One Top Ten in Particular”, in Mike Grant, editor, Beach Boys Stomp, number 35, Wealdstone, Middlesex [London]: [s.n.], →OCLC, page 7

   The door was standing ajar, and she could hear music. Typical ballet-class music. Plinky-plonky, plinky-plonky, plink-plonk-plonk, plink-plonk-plonk.

   1985, Jean Ure, chapter 12, in Nicola Mimosa, Harmondsworth, Middlesex [London]: Puffin Books, published 1986, →ISBN, page 154