Ratchet (instrument)

A ratchet, also called a noisemaker (or, when used in Judaism, a gragger or grogger (etymologically from Yiddish:גראַגער‎), raganella or ra'ashan (Hebrew:רעשן‎)), is an orchestral musical instrument played by percussionists. Operating on the principle of the ratchet device, a gearwheel and a stiff board is mounted on a handle, which rotates freely.