UkuleleThreads
Well-known member
I have always thought ukulele meant "dancing flea", so when I made the sticker below, it was to be funny. But, I read an article on the Martin 3K a while back said the following:
"The word "ukulele" is most often translated as "jumping fleas," a possible reference to Edward Purvis, a small, nimbe braguinha player who was nicknamed "Ukulele," Another inspiration for the "jumping fleas" reference was the movement of the player's hand. Queen Lili'uokalani, Hawaii's last monarch and a uke player herself, promoted a more poetic origin; "uku," in addition to being a flea, is a gift, a reward, or a payment, while "lele" is used for a range of movements, so the Queen maintained that the "ukulele" meant a gift that was brought to Hawaii."
I think it's a beautiful idea that the ukulele means "gift". Thoughts?
"The word "ukulele" is most often translated as "jumping fleas," a possible reference to Edward Purvis, a small, nimbe braguinha player who was nicknamed "Ukulele," Another inspiration for the "jumping fleas" reference was the movement of the player's hand. Queen Lili'uokalani, Hawaii's last monarch and a uke player herself, promoted a more poetic origin; "uku," in addition to being a flea, is a gift, a reward, or a payment, while "lele" is used for a range of movements, so the Queen maintained that the "ukulele" meant a gift that was brought to Hawaii."
I think it's a beautiful idea that the ukulele means "gift". Thoughts?