ballad-monger
(ˈbælədˌmʌŋgə(r))
[See -monger.]
One who deals in ballads: a. used contemptuously by Shakespeare, and by others in imitation, for: Ballad-maker.
| 1596 Shakes. 1 Hen IV, iii. i. 130, I had rather be a Kitten, and cry mew, Then one of these same Meeter Ballad-mongers. 1756 J. Warton Ess. Pope (1782) I. vii. 356 Villon was merely a pert and insipid ballad monger. 1809 Byron Bards & Rev. xii, Behold the ballad-monger Southey rise! |
b. A seller of ballads.
| 1653 Urquhart Rabelais i. ix, An old paultry book..sold by the hawking Pedlars and Balladmongers. 1874 Motley Barneveld II. xviii. 252 All the ballad-mongers and broad⁓sheet vendors of the town. |
Hence ballad-mongering vbl. n.
| 1809 Byron Bards & Rev. Argt. (MS.), The poet..revileth Walter Scott for..ballad-mongering. |