Harp

The harp was a popular musical instrument from as early as the 10th century, followed by its cousin the lute, which was introduced to Europe via the Arabs in the 13th century. From the musical instrument, derives the figurative sense of harping or dwelling on a subject repeatedly, which dates from the 16th century. In 1591, Shakespeare was chiefly responsible for this new meaning when he wrote in Richard III, Act IV, Scene IV, “Harp not on that string” by which he meant do not keep repeating the same story, much as a harpist playing the same note over and over again.