barbershop

 
Pronunciation: /ˈbɑːbəʃɒp/

noun

  • 1chiefly North American a shop where a barber works.
  • 2 [mass noun, often as modifier] a popular style of close harmony singing, typically for four male voices: a barbershop quartet
    [from the custom in the 16th and 17th centuries of passing time in a barber's shop by harmonizing to a lute or guitar provided to entertain customers waiting their turn]