The Crimean War left a lasting impact on the English language, with words like balaclava and thin red line originating from the war. Today, we’ll explore the history of the cardigan, a type of sweater that gained popularity during this time. Originally referring to a knitted sleeveless vest, it was named after James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, who wore a similar garment during the Charge of the Light Brigade. As tales of the event spread, the cardigan became fashionable and the term entered the English lexicon. Over the years, it evolved to encompass knitted sweaters in general, eventually becoming associated with long sleeves and women’s fashion, thanks to Coco Chanel’s influence in the mid-20th century. Interestingly, the Cardigan General Brudenell governed a county in Wales, which was an Anglicized version of the Welsh word Ceredigion, meaning “Ceredig’s land” after a Welsh king from the 5th century.
