drummer

This term is occasionally used as a derogatory term among musicians and percussionists, if it has the meaning of someone who can play one or two percussion instruments, usually the drum set, but who cannot read music. This obviously limits their musical abilities as well as any career they might be wanting to pursue. It has other uses among the musically inclined to simply mean the person who is playing the drum set.

Drum"mer (?), n.

1.

One whose office is to beat the drum, as in military exercises and marching.

2.

One who solicits custom; a commercial traveler.

Bartlett.

3. Zool.

A fish that makes a sound when caught; as:

1. The squeteague.
2. A California sculpin.

4. Zool.

A large West Indian cockroach (Blatta gigantea) which drums on woodwork, as a sexual call.

© Webster 1913.