eisteddfod

Where does the word "eisteddfod" come from? It comes from Welsh eisteddfod, and was adopted directly into English (1820s).

Eisteddfod’s story begins in Welsh: eisteddfod meant “session, assembly.” Eistedd 'sit' + bod 'be', a session; the Lord Rhys held a famed contest of poets and musicians at Cardigan Castle in 1176, often called the first eisteddfod. It reached English by 1820s as eisteddfod. The gatherings were revived around 1800 with Iolo Morganwg's Gorsedd of Bards, and the National Eisteddfod has been held almost every year since 1861. Today, eisteddfod means a Welsh festival of music, poetry and literature.

1. Stage 1 · Welsh · 1176 eisteddfod "session, assembly", eistedd 'sit' + bod 'be', a session; the Lord Rhys held a famed contest of poets and musicians at Cardigan Castle in 1176, often called the first eisteddfod.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1820s eisteddfod "Welsh arts festival", the gatherings were revived around 1800 with Iolo Morganwg's Gorsedd of Bards, and the National Eisteddfod has been held almost every year since 1861.