Capo

/ˈkɑː.poʊ/ noun

Definition

A device clamped on a guitar neck to raise the pitch of strings; also a mafia boss or leader of a criminal organization.

Etymology

From Italian 'capo' (head). In music, borrowed directly from Italian. In organized crime, also from Italian meaning 'captain' or 'head.' The same root in both contexts means leadership.

Kelly Says

One tiny word with two opposite cultural lives—a classical guitarist uses a capo for Beethoven, while a crime novelist uses it for a villain. Italian perfectly captured 'leader' and it stuck in both worlds!

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