"Symphony" vs. "Philharmonic" in the name of an orchestra: is there a difference?

I googled on "symphony vs. philharmonic" and your answer is in the first and only result. (No difference)

To elaborate a bit more, names that *do* tend to mean something are: chamber: might have reduced orchestration, or focuses on chamber works in which a full orchestra was not needed, in existance at the time, etc. (like Bach's Brandenburg concertos). Common for baroque music. Might have the additional modifier of being "period" or played on "period instruments". so-and-so's orchestra: anything from a big band to a traveling pit orchestra. Usually used to reinforce the branding of a music act. "members of": a real crap shoot. Folks from a major orcestra playing in another orchestra, or a chamber group comprised of regulars from a major orchestra, etc. pops: Playing popular music, like medleys and soundtracks, though war-horses from the symphonic repertoire are also common wind orchestra: a military band arrangement (i.e., no strings) pit: Not really in the orchestra's proper name, but it's the term used for an opera/play orchestra - the musicians who play in the pit below the stage. I'm sure there are more, but that's just off the top of my head.

It has been my intermittent impression that a Symphony is a full orchestra (110 piece?), and a Philharmonic is smaller.

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=symphony+philharmonic&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&c2coff=1&selm=35F74B26.1795%40mindspring.com&rnum=5, this time searching groups with the query +symphony +philharmonic. And http://www.incompetech.com/music/philharmonic.html Bottom line is, there is no distinction. Symphony, Philharmonic, Orchestra -- it just depends on what a specific group wants to call itself.

Also, the size of the orchestra varies depending on the piece being played. Very often there is a core set of payrolled personnel (and even those may not play all the time), with contract players being brought in when doubling or special parts are required.

Somewhat off topic, my absolute favorite orchestra name is the now-defunct "I Solisti di Oakland".

My hometown has an orchestra called Sinfonia de Camera. Is there some special meaning to the particular name?

It means 'chamber symphony.' (See Sangre Azul's comment above.)

Anyone remember an episode of Nightcourt where a homeless guy named 'phil' is rumoured to be a millionaire philanthropist? Someone says "ever hear of the new york harmonic?" "it's called the new york PHILharmonic." "it is now, yeah."