A cowbell is exactly what it sounds like: a bell that hangs around a cow's neck. Farmers have used cowbells for centuries to keep track of their herds, especially in mountainous regions like the Swiss Alps where cows graze across wide, hilly pastures. When a cow wanders off, the farmer can hear the distinctive clang-clang-clang and know where to find her.

The bell itself is usually made of metal, shaped like a cup or cone, with a clapper inside that swings back and forth as the cow moves. Different cowbells make different sounds, so an experienced farmer or herder can tell which cow is which just by listening.

Today, cowbells also appear as musical instruments. Drummers sometimes add cowbells to their drum kits for a sharp, metallic clank that cuts through other sounds. You might hear cowbells in Latin music, rock songs, or even at sporting events, where fans ring them enthusiastically to cheer for their team. The cowbell has become so iconic that people joke about needing “more cowbell” when they want to add extra energy or enthusiasm.