(rubboard; Fr. frittoir). Traditional American instrument made from the at one time common household item.

In the days before washing machines, laundering was performed on a corrugated metal or glass washboard. Musicians discovered that by running metal picks over the washboard's surface, they could create a jagged rhythmic accompaniment for dance music. Some musicians also added bells or gongs to the top of the washboard, to give them additional percussive sound effects.