Why is 'Magdalen' in Magdalen College not pronounced how it's spelt?

Question

Because on University Challenge, they were saying something that was not how it is phonetically spelt. Like maudlin or something?

Why is that?

(& on a side note, is it a boys-only college?)

Answer 1

The Oxford spelling of Magdalen is a corruption of Magdalena, which occurs in various Latin languages: Italian,Spanish, Portugese. At Cambridge, the college is spelled Magdalene and this is the literal transcription of the Hebrew name. There has been an assumption that the name means "woman from Magdala" (Aramaic מגדלא, meaning "tower") which is the old name of two places in present-day Israel, now called Migdal. However, this interpretation is disputed since the name was in such wide use, it could not really have been limited in that way. On the other hand, Paris Hilton wasn't born in Paris - was she?

Anyway, in French it is spelled Madeleine and that has become an English girls' name now, as well. In Eastern Europe, the name is often shortened to Magda.

In the Middle Ages in England (1100-1550, say), there was a widespread French influence on the pronunciation of names and places. Vowels became lengthened, especially the "a". So, for example, the word "fall" came to be pronounced "fawl" instead of its earlier "fahler". Magdalen came under the same influence at about the time the colleges were being founded in Oxford (1448) and Cambridge (1552). You try to say Magdalen with a long "a" as in "Fall" and it comes out as Maudlin. The "g" disappears in a tricky diphthong.

Magdalen College, Oxford is no longer a men-only college, so far as I know. There are no men-only colleges at Cambridge now but there are three women-only colleges, unless they've changed in recent months.

OK?

Answer 2

Apparently in the Middle Ages when the college was built, Mary was a very popular saint. More churches were dedicated to her than to St Mary the Virgin. At the same time, it was fashionable in the colleges not to pronounce the g. Also at the same time, the church propaganda alleged that she had been a prostitute. The statues of her that can be seen in the colleges show her looking downcast and a popular pun arose that she had "a maudlin look", and this is the best possible proof of the mediaeval pronunciation. Many students have found it easier to call the college "Maggers".

Answer 3

I'm at Magdalen College Oxford, it's not men only, and Magdalen is just some bastardisation of latin or there's a rumor that it's named after Mary Magdalene. Either way if you are considering coming here you should, it's the most beautiful and historical of the colleges, I don't want to leave (I'm back there now I'm a third year!).

Answer 4

Maudlin College Oxford

Answer 5

It was founded in the 15th century, which may account for the pronunciation (you are correct that it is pronounced like maudlin). At this point, it is not limited to male students only.