Euphemism

[TommyK]

I've heard the name Guitfiddle used in place of various stringed instruments.
Guitar: Well the name does start Guit
Fiddle: Well it does end in fiddle
Mando: Same size +/- as a fiddle, but played like a guitar.
What is a Guitfiddle?


http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Bruce Evans]

I think you already know. It's the word people use when they don't know the real name of an instrument or when they want to appear "bumpkin cool".

[Adare_Steve]

Paul Doyle is an instrument maker based in Galway (Ireland). You can see his Goubouki (http://www.geocities.com/doyleinstruments/goubouki.JPG) Here. It's a hybrid of a bouzouki and a guitar, as you might expect. The word is not a euphemism, more a Neologism (new word), that describes the joining of two instruments.

A true euphemism is a word that is used to describe an object (or person) more properly described by another word. So; 'fiddle' is a euphemism for violin, when bluegrass or trad. Irish music is played on it. 'Axe' is a euphemism for guitar when rock music is played on it.

But, I suspect that 'guitfiddle' describes a hybrid of two instruments (although I haven't seen it) and therefore is a neologism, and not a euphemism.

Steve

[straight-a]

Guitfiddle has been around for as long as I can remember. I've heard the term since the 1960's. It's just an all inclusive euphemism used to describe any instrument (e.g. bring your guitfiddles and we'll pick a tune!) It has been applied to any and every instrument used in bluegrass and used purely as fun. No deep, obscure meanings to it at all.

[Asha]

Actually, isn't Fiddle a derivation of the word Violin? Coming from the original instrument called a Viol? Now if I called a fiddle an organ grinder, that might qualify!

[steve in tampa]

I first heared that word from some ol boys from Kintucky, and they spalled it "gitfiddle" by cracky.

[Adare_Steve]

Actually, isn't Fiddle a derivation of the word Violin? Coming from the original instrument called a Viol? Now if I called a fiddle an organ grinder, that might qualify!
No, fiddle is not a derivation of the word violin (how could it be, where's the root?)

It's actually a name given to an early (probably 15th century) Italian version of the instrument called a Fiedel. A viol is another early form of violin, but that one became a viola in a modified form.

The instrument that we play today (well, not me actually, but you know what I mean) is a violin - which looks and sounds nothing like a fiedel. But, the name fiddle (in a slightly revised form - this *is* a derivation) became a euphemism for violin.

Steve

[TommyK]

As I understand it Fiddle is an older term than Violin which describes a bowed instrument. Played degamba style like a cello. #The Violin is a refinement of the Fiddle (or so the Violin players say). #But today's Fiddle is a Violin and today's Violin is a Fiddle. #Just set up different. #
The name Violin, again as I understand it, came by way of the name Vihuela and Viola. #Vihuela, while today, is a strummed instrument, at one time in Europe was a bowed instrument. #I guess someone misapplied the term - or lost his bow.
I've heard a lot of 'differences' between a Fiddle and Violin that are mostly goofs. Like: nobody cares if you spill beer on a Fiddle, or the Fiddle is the one with the #snake rattle inside, or the Nut at the end of the bow.
My personaly favorite that disparages neither.
A Violin Sings, but a Fiddle Dances. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Adare_Steve]

But today's Fiddle is a Violin and today's Violin is a Fiddle. Just set up different.
In what way is it set up differently?

I sell violins to be used as 'fiddles' - that is, to have Irish music played on them. The strings are the same, the tuning is the same, the bridge goes in the same place. The instrument is set up, exactly the same for use as a 'violin' and a 'fiddle'.

Steve

[pdlstl]

The difference between a violin and fiddle?

You carry a violin in a case.

You carry a fiddle in burlap sack.

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[TommyK]

But today's Fiddle is a Violin and today's Violin is a Fiddle. Just set up different.
In what way is it set up differently?

I sell violins to be used as 'fiddles' - that is, to have Irish music played on them. The strings are the same, the tuning is the same, the bridge goes in the same place. The instrument is set up, exactly the same for use as a 'violin' and a 'fiddle'.

Steve
Here's where I got some of my info:
Fidde or Violin? (http://www.flyinfiddler.com/what.html)
I especially liked the answer: "Violins have strings while Fiddles have strangs/"
I once saw a 'family' tree of stringed instruments. The Fiddle was earlier than violins, vihuelas and guitars.
One of the serious answers is that the fiddle or maybe fiedel had a 5th string which was plucked.

[jbrwky]

Euphemism is that pain you get in your euphem when you get older.

[bratsche]

Normally, the setup for a fiddle includes a bridge whose top is a little flatter across the top than a typical violin bridge. Also, I have noticed that fiddlers tend to prefer all metal strings, which necessitate the fine tuners on the tailpiece that violinists don't need more than one of, if they use the more usual synthetic or gut-wound strings (except for the E). In the "classical" violin/viola world, fine tuners on all 4 strings are more associated with beginners' or children's, more than an advanced player's, instruments. At least in America - while working abroad, I noticed much more variety of preferences.

bratsche