Figuren der Commedia dell'Arte

Has an enduring, magical power, a testimony perhaps to the mystery of its origin. Theories include extreme suggestion, for example that he takes his name from a water-bird with irregular patches of diverse colour called ‘harle’ or ‘herle’. But in Italian ‘ino’ is a diminutive and all Arlechinno’s younger brothers have a similar ending to their name: Fritellino (= ‘little brother’ – fratello + ino); Trivellino (- ‘little agile one’); Truffaldino (= ‘little trougher’ or ‘truffer’), so it is likely his name means simply Hellechinno (= ‘little devil’). Dante refers to a devil by the name of Ellechino. – Rudlin