plinky-plonky

Adjective

plinky-plonky (comparative more plinky-plonky, superlative most plinky-plonky)

1. (informal) Especially of a musical instrument such as a piano: making sharp, tinny sounds; plinky.
   • "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...
2. (informal) Having a simple, repetitive, percussive melody.
   • 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
   • 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

Interjection

1. (informal) Used to represent a series of sharp, tinny sounds, especially those made by a musical instrument such as a piano: plinkety.
   • […] 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...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
   • 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