cardigan

Where does the word "cardigan" come from? It comes from Welsh Ceredigion, and was adopted directly into English (1868).

Cardigan’s story begins in Welsh: Ceredigion meant “a Welsh region.” 'land of Ceredig', a 5th-century ruler said to be a son of Cunedda; its chief town was anglicised as Cardigan. It reached English by 1868 as cardigan. After James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, who led the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava in 1854; the knitted wool waistcoats he and his officers wore took his title. Today, cardigan means a knitted sweater that fastens down the front.

1. Stage 1 · Welsh · medieval Ceredigion "a Welsh region", 'land of Ceredig', a 5th-century ruler said to be a son of Cunedda; its chief town was anglicised as Cardigan.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1868 cardigan "knitted button-up jacket", after James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, who led the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava in 1854; the knitted wool waistcoats he and his officers wore took his title.