Definitions For Rimshot

Noun

RIMSHOT (plural RIMSHOTs) A percussive note in which the drumstick hits both the head and the rim of the drum. (colloquial) A percussive sting or flourish used to punctuate a joke in a cabaret or vaudeville act.

Usage notes

Technically, the sting used to punctuate a joke is not a rimshot. A rimshot is a particular note (as in sense 1 above); a sting is a percussive figure consisting of several notes, perhaps a roll followed by a crash cymbal. As noted above, though, colloquially, a sting is also called , rimshot.

Further reading

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Alternative forms

rim shot

Etymology

rim + shot