Etymology Map
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Maudlin

4 stages from Aramaic to English.

Today it means self-pityingly or tearfully sentimental

Where does the word "maudlin" come from? It comes from Aramaic Magdala, passing through Greek and Old French before entering English (1600s).

1
Stage 1 of 4
Magdala
Aramaic · ancient
"tower (place name)"
'tower', a fishing town on the Sea of Galilee; excavations since 2009 have uncovered a 1st-century synagogue there
2
Stage 2 of 4
Magdalēnḗ
Greek · ancient
"of Magdala"
the Gospels name her Maria hē Magdalēnē, Mary of Magdala, witness to the crucifixion and resurrection
3
Stage 3 of 4
Madelaine
Old French · 1100s
"Magdalene"
Vézelay Abbey in Burgundy claimed her relics from the 1000s and drew huge pilgrim crowds
4
Stage 4 of 4
maudlin
English · 1600s
"tearfully sentimental"
from Middle English Maudelayne; she was painted weeping, so the name came to mean tearfully sentimental; Oxford's Magdalen College (founded 1458) is still pronounced 'Maudlin'
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Maudlin’s story begins in Aramaic: Magdala meant “tower (place name).” 'tower', a fishing town on the Sea of Galilee; excavations since 2009 have uncovered a 1st-century synagogue there. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Greek as Magdalēnḗ. The Gospels name her Maria hē Magdalēnē, Mary of Magdala, witness to the crucifixion and resurrection. From there it passed into Old French as Madelaine by 1100s. Vézelay Abbey in Burgundy claimed her relics from the 1000s and drew huge pilgrim crowds. It reached English by 1600s as maudlin. From Middle English Maudelayne; she was painted weeping, so the name came to mean tearfully sentimental; Oxford's Magdalen College (founded 1458) is still pronounced 'Maudlin'. Today, maudlin means self-pityingly or tearfully sentimental.