Strummolo
The strummolo ([strummolo]; in Neapolitan: “strùmmolo,” pronounced ['strummələ]) is the Neapolitan name for a spinning top. The game has Mexican origins. The top is made up of a spindle, which is usually wooden, and ends in a metal point and a cord used to toss it. Origins and use. The term, "strummolo", likely comes from the Greek word, "strombos" (στρόμβος) or "strobilos" (στρόβιλος), which means "swirl" (mulinello) or “object able to turn.” In the "Domestic Neapolitan and Tuscan Vocabulary", compiled by Basilio Puoti, in 1841, the top is defined as a “wooden object shaped like a cone, with a  metal point on top, that children use to play, making it turn with a string attached around it.” The top is ribbed horizontally, to make it easier to wind the string around it. Once the string is wound around the top, the child holds the end and puts the top in the palm of their hand. Then, with a quick movement of the wrist, he or she opens his or her hand and throws the top to the ground, still holding onto the string. This makes the top spin quickly on its metal handle. The point is clearly to make  the top spin for the longest amount of time possible, and the game can be played alone or as a competition between more children. Besides the classic spinning top game illustrated above, Puoti also described the "aliossi", "ferri", "naibi" or "coderone" variations"." When the throw wouldn't be successful and the top would fall sideways and wouldn't spin, they would use the expression, "to do a cappellaccio." This literally means a 'large hat' or figuratively, having made ‘a big mistake.’ Use in the Neapolitan language. The "strummolo" or "spinning top", entered into the figurative Neapolitan language, giving rise to  a series of idiomatic sayings. One common Neapolitan expression, typically said with exasperation, is "o spavo è curto e 'o strummolo è a tiriteppola": which literally means "the twine is short and the spinning top swerves from all sides," said to illustrate an entangled and irreparable combination of things that don't work. Another is ""vedimmo si è 'o strummolo o 'a funicella"" (let's see if it's the spinning top or the string), meaning "let's try to understand what it is exactly that doesn't work." The expression ""paré 'nu strummolo"" (to be like a spinning top , a silly person) can be a friendly or joking way to tease someone. It can also be used as a homophony with and in the place of "strùnz," a vulgar term to insult someone, meaning "bastard". The name in other regions. In Western Sicily, "strummolo" takes the name of "strùmmula," "strùmmalu" "," or "strùmmulu" "," while in Eastern Sicily it is called "tuppéttu" "." There are even many other less commonly used names, like "paloggiu", which comes from the dialect from Messina. In Taranto, it takes the name of "'u currùchələ", which is derived from "curru + rutulu" or from the Latin, "carruca ." Similar terms, "curutulu" e "curuddhu" are used in Lecce. In Lizzano, however, it is called "pirrùculu" "," while in Scorrano it is called "fìtu" "."