View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/mysteries-of-vernacular-ukulele-jessica-oreck-and-rachael-teel

When 19th century Portuguese travelers landed in Hawaii with a small four-stringed guitar, a member of the king's court, nicknamed Jumping Flea, or ukulele in Hawaiian, took to the instrument. Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel explain how an affinity for the ukulele gave the instrument its name.

Lesson by Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel, animation by Jessica Oreck.