Which musical instrument's name literally translates as "jumping flea"?

It probably comes as no surprise that the word ‘ukulele’ is Hawaiian in origin; as the instrument is associated with the Hawaiian archipelago. What may come as a surprise, however, is that the ukulele itself did not originate in Hawaii. Meaning ‘jumping flea’ in Hawaiian, today the ukulele (much like leis and the hula) is linked to the island state, but it actually originated in another island chain across the world.

In the 1870s, immigrants from the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira arrived in Hawaii (then known as the Sandwich Islands) to work in the sugarcane fields. They brought with them a small wooden instrument with four metallic strings and a double-bulged body, much like a miniature guitar. They called these instruments ‘machetes’, and often played them in evening street concerts. Today we know the machete by a different name - the ukulele.

Today's ukulele is not exactly like the original machete. For example, modern ukes have nylon strings, and they now come in four standard sizes: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone; with the soprano having the highest (familiar, plinky) pitch.

The source of the Hawaiian name ‘jumping flea’ is not entirely clear. One possible origin is the actual nickname of a Hawaiian court official, Edward William Purvis, which he got due to his small size, fidgety manner, and machete-playing expertise. Others suggest it comes from the way a skilled ukulele player’s fingers leap about, flea-like, while plucking the instrument.