Talk:fiddle

Latest comment: 8 years ago by 173.89.236.187 in topic Etymology

Etymology edit

Meaning 4 has no obvious connection with the musical instrument and I doubt if it has the same etymology. Perhaps from Lat fidelis via French or Spanish? Ref. Oxford Book of ships and the Sea, Cruising under Sail, E Hiscock.

Think about the fiddle rails that have stanchions, with a rail along the top. The earlier forms of these had a cord strung along, like the strings on a fiddle between the pegs. Hence the name. Robert Ullmann 14:03, 6 December 2007 (UTC)Reply
Doesn't the term ultimately derive from Latin? 173.89.236.187 18:46, 29 July 2015 (UTC)Reply
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