bedlam etymology

Etymology

The word "bedlam" derives from the name of the mental hospital in London, Bethlem Royal Hospital, also known as Bedlam.

Origin and History

The original hospital was founded in 1247 as the Priory of St Mary of Bethlehem by Simon FitzMary, the Sheriff of London. The name "Bethlehem" referred to the Biblical story of the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem and was meant to evoke the hospital's charitable mission to care for the mentally ill.

Over time, "Bethlehem" became corrupted to "Bedlam," and the hospital gained a reputation for its harsh conditions and overcrowding. By the 17th century, "bedlam" had come to be used as a slang term for a chaotic or noisy place, especially a mental hospital.

Meaning

Today, "bedlam" is used to refer to a place or situation of extreme disorder, noise, and confusion. It can be used literally to describe a chaotic or unruly situation, or figuratively to describe a state of mental agitation or turmoil.

Examples

• "The city was in bedlam during the riot."
• "His mind was in bedlam after the accident."
• "The office was a bedlam of noise and activity."

bedlam relate terms

• Bethlehem

  Etymology The name Bethlehem is derived from two Hebrew words Beit בֵּית

• Bedlamite

  Etymology The word bedlamite is derived from the name of a famous mental hospital in

• bedlam

  Etymology The word bedlam derives from the name of the mental hospital in London Bethl

• chaos

  Etymology Greek χάος khaos meaning yawning void abyss or gap Meaning

• pandemonium

• sanatorium

  Etymology The word sanatorium comes from the Latin word sanare which means to heal

• cotquean

  Etymology The word cotquean comes from the Middle English word cotequeen which is a

• institution

  Etymology Latin institutio Meaning establishment or foundation Derived from the

• blamed

  Etymology The word blamed is derived from the Old English word blemian which means

• asylum

  Etymology Greek ἄσυλον ásulos meaning unplundered or inviolable Latin

• confusion

  Etymology The word confusion is derived from the Latin word confusio which means a

• hatch

  Etymology Old English hæcc hǣcc noun half door wicket Middle English hacche no