Harmonica
/hɑːrˈmɒn.ɪ.kə/noun
A musical instrument, usually with free reeds, played by blowing and drawing air through holes.
Did you know?The name was coined by Benjamin Franklin for his glass instrument, and it comes from Greek harmonia, meaning “joining” or “fitting together,” not from anything spooky—just the old mystical dream that sound can mirror cosmic order.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
harmonía
“A fitting together, agreement, or concord.”
Late Latin
Latin
harmonia
“Musical concord; harmony.”
18th Century
English
harmonica
“Benjamin Franklin’s glass musical instrument, named for its musical relation to harmony.”
19th Century
English
harmonica
“Transferred to the small mouth organ now commonly called a harmonica.”
Modern English
English
harmonica
“A small free-reed musical instrument played with the mouth.”
Explore more surprising origins