I have just recently gotten into an argument with a friend about what you call flute players. He insists you call them flautists. I say you can call flute players flautists or flutists. What is the correct term?

This has been discussed many times before, and you can find other answers with a simple search, but the short answer is this:

Either one is correct and can be found in the Webster dictionary, however, I opt for "flutist" as I play the flute rather than the flaut. If I were Italian or Spanish, perhaps I would prefer "flautist" but it really doesn't matter much in the long run. Regardless of which you use, people will know what you're talking about. There are actually several other terms which are correct, albeit archaic...Flutenist, fluter, etc. are all technically acceptable, though you'll rather hear anyone use them. If there's any doubt, just say "flute player."

I personally prefer "flutist", as to flaut means to mock or jeer,

I believe you mean "flout" means to mock or jeer.

Chris, stop being such a know it all for once! People are really sick of it.

The correct term is fluter.

Joe B

well I would say,"I'm a player of flutes."
to avoid all confusion and discussion :]

Well, what do you mean then? Flaunt is often confused with flout, although it properly doesn't mean anything like "to disdain or mock"--as does flout (among other things)--, but it does look as much like flaut as flout.

(By the way, any dictionary can legally call itself "Webster's", and many disparate dictionaries do. Unless you're referring to Noah himself, the phrase "Webster's dictionary" is meaningless.)

well I would say,"I'm a player of flutes." to avoid all confusion and discussion

No, to avoid all confusion and discussion it is necessary to quit the instrument itself. This will solve the problem handily.

I prefer to say that I perform on the Flute. Or I'm a flutist.

I try not to play at anything since I decided to study music. ~sounds a bit stuffy eh?

I asked this very question to my flute teacher who has a masters and is principal flutist of the city symphony. She said, "I play a flute not a flaut. Therefore flutist is the more correct in her own words." Funny thing that Chris said the same thing. The history of the word is from France of course and was correct from circa 1868 until the turn of the century, and the correct term during that time. It is still considered by some to be more upscale sounding and proper. In truth it is an old out of date term.

That is how I feel about it all, but then again I don't play the flute, no it's all work...no play involved in it at all! I work the flute, till my fingers bleed sometimes...that's not play!!

Roger, stop sounding like a no-it-all. (I meant it that way, I know it's know-it-all)

I must concure with Chris on this one, but who really cares about any of this? I guess one person, and I did, cause I asked that very question 15 years ago.

<Added>

Pardon me while I argue with myself...why is it I never win any of the arguments with myself, I always lose!! What the Heck!!???!??!!!?

I'm a flautist, I'm English, I just prefer the word :-)

when your paid your a flutist, when your not paid your a flautist

If you live in England you're paid no matter what you choose to call yourself, so long as you're good :-)

I love Patrick's answer! He nailed it.

Heck, Pay me and I will even dance a jig if the music calls for it! (even if it doesn't, picture the Irish clogging dance! Now picture a 6 foot tall 220 pound guy jumping up and down...not pretty is it!)

pay me and I will do a jig as well, a few pints are not a bad idea as well, maybe some guiness..