Jodel
/ˈjoːdəl/noun
A style of singing with rapid alternation between chest voice and falsetto, especially associated with Alpine folk music.
Did you know?The English word yodel was borrowed from German Jodeln, which comes from a Swiss-German exclamation used in Alpine calls, showing how a practical mountain signal became a musical tradition.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*yeu- / *yeud-
“A proposed ancient root connected by some scholars to calling or shouting, though the exact prehistory is uncertain.”
Old High German
OHG
jodeln
“To utter a cry or perform an Alpine call.”
Swiss German
German
jodeln
“A lively mountain call or singing style using rapid voice shifts.”
19th Century
English
yodel
“A borrowed term for Alpine-style singing with quick breaks between chest and falsetto voice.”
Modern English
English
yodel
“To sing or perform in the yodel style.”