Part 4/8:
Diving deeper into the string family of instruments, the hosts humorously clarify the relationship between the violin, viola, cello, and the less well-known violone. While the violin is the “little viola,” the Latin roots of these names emphasize joy and exaltation. The cello, often mistakenly viewed solely as a larger string instrument, is actually known as the violoncello—where its name illustrates an interesting quirk of linguistic evolution.
Moreover, the hosts define the vibrant distinction between a violin and a fiddle. They reveal that the term “fiddle” is rooted in the same family etymologically, while playing on light humor about nomenclature, showcasing the whimsical nature of language.