Can anyone tell me what the difference between a fiddle and a violin? 
Séan O’Neil
Mostly the difference is that “fiddle” is used as a pejorative, or put-down. People who don’t give a darn are proud to use the term fiddle. “Violin” is the term preferred by classical musicians. “Fiddle” is used by everyone else, especially for folk/traditional music. “Giga” is the original name for the instrument, as it was introduced to Europe from Italy along with the type of dance and music that was associated with it, i.e. the jig.
djm
There is no difference in the form or something like this? It’s just the name?
Séan O’Neil
FWIW, classical players often jocosely call themselves “fiddlers”, which may be revealing. Or not.
Still and all, my understanding is that there is a difference, and that is in the shaping of the bridge. A savvy violin tech should be able to set you up for either classical or folk playing. If he or she doesn’t know the difference, you need to find someone else. I’ve heard more than one fiddler talk about this.
Many Irish players prefer a low bridge, where the height of the G string is the same or nearly the same as the E string. This results in a slightly flatter sound (less resonance) from the violin … oops … I mean, fiddle. Classical players’ instruments usually have the G string much higher for a much more resonant, or ringing, tone.
Nowadays its totally up to the player. I have seen some bridges that were nearly flat across, and some that had the G string almost a half-inch off the neck.
djm
Thanks a lot for these information! It will really help me and my brother!
He’s the fiddle player in our duo!
Séan O’Neil
Fiddle smokes in the boys’ room. Fiddle rides a Harley. Involved parents don’t let their daughters date Fiddle. Fiddle gets into scrapes with the law. Fiddle doesn’t give a damn.
Violin got straight A’s in school. Violin does what everyone expects it to do. Violin doesn’t make waves. Violin marries well and has a house in the Hamptons, a Volvo, and season tickets to the opera.
Got it?
Got it in one, there, Pat.
So, Pat, how old were you when you were first forced to stay inside and practise violin while the other kids were out playing?
djm
Got it!
Really funny!
Séan O’Neil
Next question :roll:
You want another question?: Here you’ve got one:
What are “buskers”?
Séan O’Neil
Buskers = street entertainers, people who make their living providing music or juggling or Punch & Judy etc. on the streets for handouts from passers-by.
djm
Street performers.
“Busking” is the time honored tradition of performing music, theater, acrobatics, or dance in a public space for spare change. Some malicious souls might say it’s the act of annoying others in a public space until they pay you to go away.
anything else? 
or Punch & Judy
??
Séan O’Neil
Attested to be from the Italian verb buscare, “to procure”.
I thought buscare was a kind of toast.
Like mimes!
Punch & Judy = traditional puppetry show done for fun and political satire. Lots of web sites on this.
http://www.punchandjudy.com/
http://www.punchandjudy.org/
http://www.desktop.demon.co.uk/punch/
etc.
djm
Jug of Punch? Porter?
Séan O’Neil 
biscutti
or buscetti
or something
Close though…
No,no,no. Those are biscotti!
djm