Discussions about eggcorns and related topics
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Chris -- 2018-04-11
The strange and wonderful hurdy gurdy is an instrument difficult to describe in a few words. It looks a bit like a mix of a violin and an accordion. The strings are titillated by the turn of a crank, which turns a rosined cylinder against them, and notes are played on a keyboard alongside the fingerboard. The sound is reminiscent of a scratchy version of the bagpipes. “Hurty Gerty” is perhaps a judgment on the quality of the sound, as well as a cute personification.
Dating board
You know what ya never hear anymore? The Hurty Gerty
you tube
Wayne, NJ MME phono show – Herty Gerty crank organ
The latter is interesting because it mistakes the roll organ for the hurdy gurdy. I think more people would associate the roll organ with the name hurdy gurdy than they would the original. You can see the connection by watching someone play something that looks like a hurdy gurdy: The Hurty Gurty Guy
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