Difference between revisions of "Magdalen - Magdalene"
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| − | The [[saint]] called Mary, the friend of Jesus in the [[New Testament]], is distinguished from other [[Saint Mary]]s by the name of her home town, '''Magdala''' (in Galilee) | + | The [[saint]] called Mary, the friend of Jesus in the [[New Testament]], is distinguished from other [[Saint Mary]]s by the name of her home town, '''Magdala''' (in Galilee): St Mary '''Magdalene''', sometimes known simply as '''the Magdalen'''. |
| − | **(The word '''M(/m)agdalen(e)''' can be seen written with or without a terminal '-e', '''Magdalen''' or '''Magdalene'''. The 2nd edition of [[OED]] gives it as ' ''Magdalen(e)''', though the 3rd (on-line) edition seems to have settled on a preference for '''Magdalen''', without the final silent '-e'. AWE's advice is to decide on one (the one with which you feel most comfortable), and then use it '''consistently'''.) | + | **(The word '''M(/m)agdalen(e)''' can be seen written with or without a terminal '-e', '''Magdalen''' or '''Magdalene'''. The 2nd edition of [[OED]] gives it as '''Magdalen(e)''', though the 3rd (on-line) edition seems to have settled on a preference for '''Magdalen''', without the final silent '-e'. AWE's advice is to decide on one (the one with which you feel most comfortable), and then use it '''consistently'''.) There is an [[etymology|etymological]] clue in the original Greek μαγδαληνη ('magdalÄ“nÄ“'), which shows that both '-e-'s were originally [[long vowel]]s, and perhaps should be written in English. But word-formation pays little attention to such niceties. |
**In view of the history (or legend) of St Mary Magdalen(e), the word '''magdalen''' was used for many years as a [[common noun]] meaning 'reformed prostitute'. This to can be written with or without the final '-e'. | **In view of the history (or legend) of St Mary Magdalen(e), the word '''magdalen''' was used for many years as a [[common noun]] meaning 'reformed prostitute'. This to can be written with or without the final '-e'. | ||
| − | ***In the 18th and 19th centuries, a common form of moral philanthropy was to provide hostels designed to take 'fallen women' (or sex workers) 'off the streets' (or away from their trade | + | ***In the 18th and 19th centuries, a common form of moral philanthropy was to provide hostels designed to take 'fallen women' (or sex workers) 'off the streets' (or away from their trade). Their trade was held in horror, and moral opprobrium: these hostels were known as '''magdalen houses''', '''magdalen hospitals''' or .'''magdalen charities''', colloquially shortened to '''magdalens'''. |
*In [[British English]], both spellings are pronounced the same: usually as 'MAG-der-lin', with the stress on the first [[syllable]], which rhymes with 'bag', {{{{IPA|ˈmæg dÉ™ lɪn ''or'' lÉ™n}}}}; some speakers emphasize the final syllable, 'mag-der-LEEN' ({{IPA|mæg dÉ™ ˈliËn}}), but this may be frowned on in some academic circles. It is NOT a phonetic representation of the second spelling. | *In [[British English]], both spellings are pronounced the same: usually as 'MAG-der-lin', with the stress on the first [[syllable]], which rhymes with 'bag', {{{{IPA|ˈmæg dÉ™ lɪn ''or'' lÉ™n}}}}; some speakers emphasize the final syllable, 'mag-der-LEEN' ({{IPA|mæg dÉ™ ˈliËn}}), but this may be frowned on in some academic circles. It is NOT a phonetic representation of the second spelling. | ||
**In the past, there was a different pronunciation, ‘MAUD-lin’, {{{{IPA|ˈmÉ”Ë dlɪn ''or'' É™n}}. This eventually became a separate word, maudlin, which has no religious meaning nowadays. It is an adjective meaning ‘characterised by tearful sentimentality’ ([[OED]]). It has come to mean this because [[Saint Mary Magdalene]] was believed to have been a repentant prostitute, and is often shown in pictures as weeping. Maudlin was first a pronunciation of her name, then used to mean ‘tearful’, and finally merely sentimental. (The stage of maudlin drunken-ness is that in which the drinker weeps.) The two [[college]]s, one (with no terminal '-e') at [[Oxford University]], the other at Cambridge, are both pronounced like 'maudlin - see also: [[Magdalen - Magdalene College]]. | **In the past, there was a different pronunciation, ‘MAUD-lin’, {{{{IPA|ˈmÉ”Ë dlɪn ''or'' É™n}}. This eventually became a separate word, maudlin, which has no religious meaning nowadays. It is an adjective meaning ‘characterised by tearful sentimentality’ ([[OED]]). It has come to mean this because [[Saint Mary Magdalene]] was believed to have been a repentant prostitute, and is often shown in pictures as weeping. Maudlin was first a pronunciation of her name, then used to mean ‘tearful’, and finally merely sentimental. (The stage of maudlin drunken-ness is that in which the drinker weeps.) The two [[college]]s, one (with no terminal '-e') at [[Oxford University]], the other at Cambridge, are both pronounced like 'maudlin - see also: [[Magdalen - Magdalene College]]. | ||
Revision as of 15:02, 10 August 2010
The saint called Mary, the friend of Jesus in the New Testament, is distinguished from other Saint Marys by the name of her home town, Magdala (in Galilee): St Mary Magdalene, sometimes known simply as the Magdalen.
- (The word M(/m)agdalen(e) can be seen written with or without a terminal '-e', Magdalen or Magdalene. The 2nd edition of OED gives it as Magdalen(e), though the 3rd (on-line) edition seems to have settled on a preference for Magdalen, without the final silent '-e'. AWE's advice is to decide on one (the one with which you feel most comfortable), and then use it consistently.) There is an etymological clue in the original Greek μαγδαληνη ('magdalēnē'), which shows that both '-e-'s were originally long vowels, and perhaps should be written in English. But word-formation pays little attention to such niceties.
- In view of the history (or legend) of St Mary Magdalen(e), the word magdalen was used for many years as a common noun meaning 'reformed prostitute'. This to can be written with or without the final '-e'.
- In the 18th and 19th centuries, a common form of moral philanthropy was to provide hostels designed to take 'fallen women' (or sex workers) 'off the streets' (or away from their trade). Their trade was held in horror, and moral opprobrium: these hostels were known as magdalen houses, magdalen hospitals or .magdalen charities, colloquially shortened to magdalens.
- In British English, both spellings are pronounced the same: usually as 'MAG-der-lin', with the stress on the first syllable, which rhymes with 'bag', {ˈmæg dÉ™ lɪn or lÉ™n}; some speakers emphasize the final syllable, 'mag-der-LEEN' (IPA: /mæg dÉ™ ˈliËn/), but this may be frowned on in some academic circles. It is NOT a phonetic representation of the second spelling.
- In the past, there was a different pronunciation, ‘MAUD-lin’, {{IPA: /ˈmÉ”Ë dlɪn or É™n/. This eventually became a separate word, maudlin, which has no religious meaning nowadays. It is an adjective meaning ‘characterised by tearful sentimentality’ (OED). It has come to mean this because Saint Mary Magdalene was believed to have been a repentant prostitute, and is often shown in pictures as weeping. Maudlin was first a pronunciation of her name, then used to mean ‘tearful’, and finally merely sentimental. (The stage of maudlin drunken-ness is that in which the drinker weeps.) The two colleges, one (with no terminal '-e') at Oxford University, the other at Cambridge, are both pronounced like 'maudlin - see also: Magdalen - Magdalene College.
