The name

Why “Diaulos”?

The diaulos — Greek δίαυλος, “double pipe” — was an ancient Greek wind instrument: two reed pipes played by one musician, a pipe in each hand, both sounding at once. It was the sound of the Greek world, played at banquets, in theatres, and to keep rowers and athletes in time. Skilled players even used circular breathing, so the two pipes never had to stop for air.

Ancient Greek red-figure vase painting of a reclining banqueter playing the double aulos, one pipe held in each hand. — A banqueter plays the double aulos. Attic red-figure cup attributed to the Euaion Painter, ca. 460–450 BC. Musée du Louvre, G 467. Photo: Marie-Lan Nguyen (public domain).

A Mac with two monitors is the same trick, twenty-four centuries later: one player, two pipes. Diaulos sends the left channel to your left monitor’s speakers and the right channel to your right — two channels, one instrument.

How do you say it?

DEE-ow-loss is closest to the ancient Greek: dí·au·los, with “au” as in “ouch.” English speakers often say DYE-aw-luss, and honestly, the original players aren’t around to object. Either way, we’ll answer.

One word, two runs

The Greeks also used the same word for a footrace at the ancient Olympics: the diaulos was the double course — one length of the stadium, a hairpin turn, and back. Two legs, one race. The word just really likes doing things in pairs.