1
Stage 1 of 3
braguinha
Portuguese · 1879
"small four-stringed guitar"
a small guitar-like instrument brought by Madeiran immigrants
2
Stage 2 of 3
ʻukulele
Hawaiian · 1880s
"jumping flea"
literally "jumping flea", describing the player's quick finger movements
3
Stage 3 of 3
ukulele
English · 1900s
"the small four-stringed instrument"
spread internationally as the instrument gained popularity
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