Daily Almanac for
May 25, 2012
Search: Infoplease Info search tips
Search: Biographies Bio search tips
| Share
 
Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—B

Bedlam

A lunatic asylum or madhouse; a contraction for Bethlehem, the name of a religious house in London, converted into a hospital for lunatics.

Tom o' Bedlam.
(See Tom.) St. Mary of Bethlehem, London, was founded as a priory in 1247, and in 1547 it was given to the mayor and corporation of London, and incorporated as a royal foundation for lunatics.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
Bedlamite
Bediver
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

More on Bedlam from Infoplease:

    • Cite
    • Print
    • Bookmark

Related Content
A free, reliable Q&A site for homework help. Answerplease.com

24 X 7

Private Tutor

Click Here for Details
24 x 7 Tutor Availability
Unlimited Online Tutoring
1-on-1 Tutoring
Explore Algebra 1 Help , Fractions