Latest news with #MiddleEnglish
Toronto Star
24-07-2025
- Toronto Star
On the path of Chaucer's pilgrims, wending a way through English history
'The Canterbury Tales,' the collection that every student of English literature has to read, is the ultimate travel story. Winter's over, spring has sprung, 'thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages' — as Geoffrey Chaucer wrote in Middle English in the 14th century. What a trip! People are still tramping the same general path from points around London, eastward toward the spired vision that is Canterbury Cathedral and sometimes beyond, along the Pilgrims' Way.
Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
This English word is derived from the infamous history of a mental asylum — take a guess
When we say a scene is 'bedlam', we usually mean it's in utter chaos—loud, disorganised, almost out of control. But few realise that the word has its origins in a very real and very grim chapter of medical history: a medieval mental hospital in London. Here's how a single institution gave English one of its most evocative words for madness. The word 'bedlam' is a corruption of 'Bethlem,' short for Bethlem Royal Hospital, which was founded in 1247 in London as the Priory of St Mary of Bethlehem. Originally a religious institution, it began admitting mentally ill patients by the early 14th century and evolved into Europe's most infamous psychiatric hospital. By the 1600s, Bethlem had gained notoriety for its inhumane conditions, and patients were often chained, left in filth, and subjected to violent or bizarre treatments like bloodletting and purging. As the institution's name filtered into English usage, the pronunciation gradually shifted. The Middle English form Bedlem soon became bedlam, a more phonetically simplified variant that stuck. By the 17th century, the word had taken on a figurative meaning far beyond its geographical origins. It began to refer to any scene of uproar and confusion, directly inspired by the state of the hospital itself, where screaming, moaning, and hysteria reigned. Shockingly, Bethlem became a form of public entertainment. In the 1600s and 1700s, people could pay a small fee (sometimes just a penny) to visit the hospital and gawk at the patients, as if it were a human zoo. Some records suggest that hundreds of thousands of Londoners visited Bedlam annually, often treating the mentally ill as curiosities rather than people. This tragic voyeurism further cemented bedlam in public imagination as a synonym for frenzy, madness, and grotesque chaos. The infamous hospital and its treatment of the patient also inspired a movie by the name of 'Bedlam'. Over time, medical understanding of mental illness evolved, and Bethlem Royal Hospital was reformed. It still exists today as part of the NHS, offering modern psychiatric care under its historical name. The word bedlam serves as a linguistic relic, reminding us how far we've come in mental health care, and how language preserves both progress and prejudice. What we casually use to describe a noisy classroom or chaotic traffic jam was once the name of a real place of suffering, and public mockery.
Sky News AU
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
'Dumbest thing I'll read all day': Gen-Z woman roasted on social media after sharing unbelievable theory about what 'newspaper' stands for
A Gen-Z woman has been roasted on social media for unbelievable sharing her theory about 'newspaper' stands for. US-based fashion influencer Megan Strickland baffled viewers when she took to Instagram to share the bizarre theory in a recent video. "I was today years old when I learned that "NEWSPAPER" stands for "NORTH, EAST, WEST, SOUTH, PAST AND PRESENT EVENT REPORT," Meghan wrote over a clip of herself donning a back tracksuit and sunglasses. In the caption, the woman said she was aware of what she claimed 'news' stood for, but the 'paper' part of the acronym was new information. "Um…anyone else!? I knew the NEWS part, but not what paper stood for," she wrote. It's understood the influencer was likely making a joke by sharing the find and intended to spark some attention and interest in her content. Nevertheless, the theory was hotly debated among shocked viewers who flooded the comments section to refute the finding with sarcasm. "Not sure this is true. Just a paper that has news in it," one person wrote. "It also means news on paper - full of meaning apparently," another person wrote. "Nah, not even…it's news on paper! Come on! I mean who says north east, west, south…no one," said a third person. Other people took a less lighthearted approach, with one person saying Megan's theory was "the dumbest thing I'll read all day." "No, it doesn't," another disinterested viewer wrote, as one more person echoed them, simply writing, "untrue." Meanwhile, others chimed in with another acronym for news and claimed the term has an entirely different meaning altogether. "News stands for 'notable events, weather and sports', not north, east, west south," one of several people incorrectly stated. News in fact originates from the Middle English term "newes," which is the plural of "new" and essentially means "new things". It's not the first time Megan has shared an unbelievable acronym theory with her nearly 150,000 Instagram followers. She took to the platform in June to claim 'hospital' stood for 'House of Sick People Including Treatment and Labor.' has contacted Megan Strickland for comment.
The Hindu
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
What is the difference between reign and rein?
What is the meaning of 'play lights out tennis'? (Sreekala Reddy, Hyderabad) In everyday contexts, the expression 'lights out' is mostly used to mean 'to switch the lights off'. In army barracks, newly enlisted soldiers are expected to be in bed at a specific time. 'Lights out at 10' means that all lights will be switched off at that time. The expression 'play lights out' is mostly used in the context of sports. When you say that Alcaraz played lights out tennis in last year's Wimbledon final, what you mean is that he played exceptional tennis. His performance was so dominant, that his opponent's paled in comparison — the match was rather one sided. When one player plays 'lights out' tennis, the other is left floundering in the dark. The expression can be used with any sport. Bumrah's lights out bowling performance in the second Test helped India win the match against England. In the 1990s, Michael Jordon had many lights out shooting performances. What is the difference between 'reign in' and 'rein in'? (Rajinder Singh, Delhi) 'Reign' and 'rein' are pronounced like the word 'rain'. 'Rein' can be used both as a noun and a verb. When used as a noun, it refers to the long leather strap put around the mouth of a horse which the rider uses to control the animal — its direction, speed, etc. When you 'rein in an animal' what you are doing is pulling the reins in order to slow the animal down or change the direction in which it is moving. Being a novice, Chandru didn't know how to rein in the horse. The expression 'rein in' can be used in other contexts as well. For example, when you rein in your emotions, what you are trying to do is to keep your emotions under check — you are attempting to keep them under control. Similarly, when you 'rein in' an individual, you are attempting to control someone who is perhaps behaving badly. The Government is attempting to rein in inflation. 'Reign', like the word 'rein' can be used both as a noun and a verb. When you talk about a King's 'reign', what you are talking about is the number of years he ruled. The word can be used in other contexts as well. She reigned as Queen for well over 50 years. His reign as CEO was rife with scandals. The expression 'reign in' does not exist; it is always 'rein in'. How is the word 'endeavour' pronounced? (Gowtham Sankar, Dharmapuri) This rather formal word consists of three syllables. The first 'en' is pronounced like the word 'in', while the next two syllables rhyme with the word 'never'. The word is pronounced 'in-DEV-e' with the stress on the second syllable. It comes from the Middle English 'endeveren' meaning to 'exert oneself' in order to fulfil one's duty. Nowadays, the word is mostly used to mean to put in your best effort while attempting to do something. Despite the political pressure, the university is endeavouring to protect the rights of students! Guests are expected to make every endeavour to be on time for the ceremony. 'Endeavour' is best avoided in informal contexts — unless you wish to sound pompous. 'Attempt' and 'try' are better suited for informal contexts. upendrankye@
Daily Record
13-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
16 'rare' Scottish baby names that were used only a few times in 2024
Hardly ever used in Scotland, these uncommon names all deserve a comeback. All over Scotland, you will come across people with all kinds of names. From classic picks to one-of-a-kind monikers, a name can tell you a lot about a person. When it comes to choosing a name for your own little one, the pressure can be overwhelming. While many people prefer traditional Scottish names, others want their baby to have a truly unique name. The National Records of Scotland previously shared a list of all of the baby names that were used in 2024. The non-ministerial department of the Scottish Government also revealed how many times each moniker was used during the year. The Daily Record has rounded up 16 names that were used just three times each in 2024. With the most popular picks last year—Noah and Olivia—being used hundreds of times last year, they offer a much more distinctive alternative. National Records of Scotland website. 1. Clyde Unlike many of the names on this list, Clyde actually has Scottish origins. The boys' name is derived from the River Clyde that flows through Glasgow, and was originally used to refer to those who lived on its banks. 2. Cece The beautiful girls' name Cece has both Latin and Italian roots, and is a shortened version of the name Cecelia. Coming from the Latin word 'caecus', it means 'blind' and is associated with virtue of faith. 3. Cash The boys' name Cash has both English and Irish origins, and was originally exclusively a surname. It derives from the Middle English word 'casche', and means 'maker of chests' or 'box maker'. 4. Sage There are multiple possible origins of the gender-neutral name Sage, with potential roots in France, England, and Germany. It also has a range of potential meanings, ranging from 'wise' and 'prophet' to 'safe'. 5. Gene Gene is another gender-neutral name, though it is more commonly used for boys. German and Greek in origin, it means 'well-born' or 'noble'. 6. Percy Percy is a masculine name with Norman roots, being brought over from Normandy to the United Kingdom. It means 'one who pierces the valley', although another possible meaning is 'spirit of battle'. 7. Dolcie Pronounced 'DOLL-see', Dolcie is a girls' name that is a modern variation of the Latin name Dulce. It means 'sweet', 'pleasant', or 'sweet one'. 8. Tallulah Tallulah is a lovely name of Native American heritage, and is usually used for girls. It is said to come from the Choctaw tribe, and means 'leaping water' or 'lady of abundance'. 9. Helena The feminine name Helena has a rich history, originating from Greek mythology. It means 'torch', 'bright one', or 'shining light'. 10. Briar Briar has English roots, and comes from the Middle English word for a thorny bush. Originally used to refer to people who lived near spiky plants, it has connotations of nature and resilience. 11. Keelan The boys' name Keelan comes from Ireland, and is an anglicised version of the traditional Gaelic name Caolán. It means 'slim', 'slender', and 'fair'. 12. Elowen Elowen is believed to have both Celtic and Cornish roots, and is usually used as a girls' name. It comes from 'elm', and means 'loved' or 'beautiful'. 13. Lawrie Lawrie is another traditional Scottish name, though was originally a surname. It is thought to come from the more common name Lawrence, and means 'crafty' or 'foxy'. 14. Roxy Roxy is a beautiful girls' name that is a shortened version of the name Roxanne. Persian in origin, it means 'dawn', 'bright', or 'star'. 15. Salma This is a feminine name that is believed to have Arabic and Hebrew roots, and is thought to be a version of the names Salāma or Salam. It means 'peaceful' or 'safe', and has connotations of harmony and tranquility. 16. Leland Leland is an English name that comes from the Middle English words 'lea' and 'land'. It means 'meadow land' or 'fallow land'.
