What’s in a name?
The hurdy-gurdy is the 18th Century English slang term for the instrument, but it is known by a whole variety of terms in English as well as other languages. Here is what I’ve stumbled across:
Dutch
- Draailier [turning lyre]
English
- Beggar’s lyre
- Crank lyre
- Cymphan [16th Century]
- Hurdy-gurdy [18th Century slang]
- Organistrum [Earliest form of the instrument]
- Symphon(y)(ie)(ia) [Normally referring to simple box-shaped instrument]
- Wheel fiddle
Finnish
- Kampiliira
French
- Chifonie [Normally referring to simple box-shaped instrument]
- Vielle
- Vielle à roue
German
- Bauernleier [peasant’s lyre]
- Bettlerleier [beggar’s lyre]
- Drehleier [turning lyre]
- Radleier
Hungarian
- Forgolant [turning lute]
- Nyenyere [slang]
- Tekerőlant or Tekerő [turning lute]
Italy
- Ghironda
- Lira mendicorum
- Lira organizzara [18th C hurdy-gurdy with organ pipes and bellows]
- Lira pagana
- Lira tedesca
- Lira rustica
- Lira tedesca
- Stampella
- Viola da orbo
Latvian
- Rata lira
Norway
- Fon
- Synfony
Polish
- Lira korbowa [crank lyre]
Slovakian
- Kolovratec
- Ninera
Scots
From Dictionary of Scots Language via posting from Geoff Turner here:
DSL - DOST Symphio(u)n, n. Also: sumphion. [Altered form of ME symphan (Manning), symfan (c1330), e.m.E. cymphan (1509), OF simphoine (OED), f. as SYMPHONY n.] = SYMPHONY n. a. —- Psaltery symphion & claroun … Befor the barne all playit thai; Seven S. 2523. Symphioun; ROLLAND Seven S. 627. Jhonn Robertsoun, thesaurer, to by and delyuer to John Mowatt, blindman, ane symphioun to play vpoun; 1582 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 564. —- With instruments melodious, The seistar and the sumphion [etc.]; BUREL Queen’s Entry 137
Spanish
- Sanfona
- Viola de rueda
- Zanfona
Swedish
- Lira
- Nykelharpa [similar, but played with a bow]
- Vevlira
Ukrainian
- Lira/ліра
- Relia
