The Why of Words
#17: Cardigan — Named After a General Who Lost a Famous Battle
Apr 28, 2026
Season 1
Episode 17
Discover the surprising origin of the cardigan, the button-up sweater that's been solving temperature problems since the 1800s. Most people assume it comes from an old English word for knit or wool, but the truth is far more interesting—it's actually named after James Brudenell, the 7th Earl of Cardigan, a man who famously lost a battle.
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