The Spinner Challenge: Finding a Hebrew Name for a Fidget Spinner

The Academy of the Hebrew Language launched a summer challenge for teachers and students: to come up with a Hebrew name for the "spinner," the current craze captivating children. According to the Academy's announcement, "We do not intend to intervene in the toy's name, but we thought it was an excellent opportunity to engage students in creating Hebrew word innovations."

Indeed, many responded to the challenge and suggested a variety of names. The Academy reports receiving hundreds of letters, mostly from Hebrew teachers, who shared stories of successful language classes inspired by the challenge. A Hebrew teacher from a Jewish school in Argentina mentioned that students chose to look up names in the dictionary rather than play during recess.

The suggestions were plentiful, varied, and original. Some were based on the Hebrew roots SBB, SCR, GLGL, and HG.

Suggestions based on the SBB root include: Sabsevat, Sobbon, Sabvan, Sibuvit, Masbev, Sivivan, Mistuvon, and Sovvuni. Building on the traditional toy "spinning top," combinations like Finger Top and Hand Top were proposed.

In Hebrew, the meaning of the word "spin" is "Scharir." Many names were based on this root: Sachrar, Sachrur, Sachriron, Sachran, Sachririt, Sichuririt, Scharchar, and even Yissachar (inspired by the biblical name Issachar). Reading these options alone can make your head spin. From the GLGL root came suggestions like Galgalan, Gilgulon, Galgalon, Gilgal, and more.

Additional suggestions came from the roots HG and ChGG, including: Hugon, Hugite, Hugan, Chagan, Hagit, and Misachag (a combination of "game" and "celebration").

Other names submitted to the Academy include: Meholelon, Nishcachon (because in two months nobody will remember it), Chagudal (combination of "celebration" and "thumb"), Tziron, Margiaon, Rikuzon, Issukon, Zrizon, Mehiron, Choni (named after Choni the Circle Maker), and Tanuah. For a spinner with light features: Igulor (a combination of "circle" and "light").