Bouzoukis

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of Greek stringed instrument similar to a lute, typically played with a plectrum and known for its distinctive sound
2. Referring to a traditional musical instrument with a round body and long neck, commonly used in Greek folk music
3. A characteristic element of Greek music culture, often featured in celebrations and dance, producing melodious and vibrant tones

Etymology: "Bouzoukis" is simply the plural of "bouzouki," the long-necked, pear-shaped stringed instrument of Greek popular music. The instrument's name comes from Greek "μπουζούκι," which is borrowed from Turkish "bozuk," meaning "out of order" or "rotten." The Turkish word is also the source of the Arabic-Persian "buzuq," a doublet of the Greek form, so the instrument's name travelled into Greek through a Turkish intermediary. The Turkish adjective describes something broken or defective, a sense that sits oddly with an instrument prized for its bright, ringing sound. The name most likely refers to the instrument's tuning, which was considered irregular or out of standard order compared with other lutes, though the precise reasoning behind the Turkish sense is not fully documented. Either way, the word moved from a description of a faulty thing to the name of a national emblem of Greek music.