[Harp-L] Re: bastringue

["Glenn Weiser" <celticguitar1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Naming an instrument after a bordello-ah, the earthiness of the French-so refreshing!

-Glenn

Glenn Weiser
Banjo & Guitar Studio
PO Box 2551, Albany, NY 12220
Office: (518) 767-9595
Cell: (518) 496-4721
Web: www.celticguitarmusic.com

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Mox GOWLAND 
  To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
  Cc: celticguitar1@xxxxxxxxxxxx ; winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 10:28 AM
  Subject: bastringue


  Winslow wrote:

  As to the player-piano bastringue, it appears to be a late 19th century or early 20th century invention. The origin of the word bastringue is unknown, and it has several meanings, so I can't help wondering whether the word already existed and was applied to the instrument, or the other way around.

  Glenn & Winslow,

  According to the French dictionary 'Le Robert' :


  Mots français d'origine néerlandaise

  bastringue         bas drinken         1799        n         amusement

  (Ben or Ludo will correct me but,
   I think that 'bas drinken' translates from the Dutch as 'to drink a lot'!)

  Originally a place to dance

  Later meanings were :
  an early industrial machine 
  a noisy vulgar orchestra
  a bordello

  all these uses are related to 'loud noises'

  In modern French slang it describes a honky-tonk piano

  hope this helps
           


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