Podcast: Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

Episode: "Noel"
Date: December 25, 2025
Host: Peter Sokolowski

Main Theme

The episode focuses on the word “noel,” exploring its definitions, origins, historical usage, and its connection to Christmas traditions, both as a holiday and as a word for Christmas carols.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Definition and Usage

• Noel (noun):
  • When capitalized: Refers to Christmas or the Christmas season.
  • When uncapitalized: Refers specifically to a Christmas carol.
• Spelling: N O E L.

2. Noel in Context

• Sample sentence:

  "The meeting began with a touch of holiday spirit as members of the Woodland Park High School madrigals sang three selections. The first was a Noel song with a medieval Renaissance feel that was well matched to their festive costumes. They followed with the popular 'Carol of the Bells' and 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas.'"
  — [00:42]

3. Etymology and Linguistic Journey

• Borrowed from French:
  • The English word "noel" comes from the French "noël," distinguished by the two dots (trema/umlaut/diaeresis) over the 'e.'
  • In French, the word covers both Christmas (the holiday) and Christmas carol.
• Latin Roots:
  • Traces back to Latin "natalis", meaning "birthday" (noun) or "of/relating to birth" (adjective).
  • The English adjective "natal" also descends from "natalis."
  • Quote:

    "The English adjective natal has the same meaning and is also an offspring of natalis."
    — [01:30]

• Historical Usage:
  • Christmas carols called "noels" were sung in Latin and French for centuries before English speakers adopted the term in the early 18th century for the same purpose.
  • Early spelling example:

    "An early use of Noel, spelled N-o-w-e-l to mean Christmas can be found in the text of the late 14th century Arthurian legend 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.'"
    — [02:08]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the French spelling and diacritical mark:

  "English speakers borrowed the word noel from the French word noël, spelled with two dots over the 'e,' called a trema in French, or an umlaut or a diaeresis."
  — [01:00]

• On the connection to 'natal':

  "The English adjective natal has the same meaning and is also an offspring of natalis."
  — [01:30]

• On the word’s medieval origins:

  "An early use of Noel, spelled N-o-w-e-l to mean Christmas can be found in the text of the late 14th century Arthurian legend 'Sir Gawain in the Green Knight.'"
  — [02:08]

Timeline & Timestamps

• [00:42] – Definition of "noel" and usage in a real-world sentence
• [01:00] – Discussion of French spelling and diacritics
• [01:15] – Explanation of Latin origin and meaning
• [01:30] – Relation to the English word "natal"
• [01:50] – History of "noel" as a carol in Latin and French
• [02:08] – First recorded English use in medieval literature

Tone & Style

The host, Peter Sokolowski, presents in an informative, gentle, and slightly scholarly tone. The explanations are clear but accessible, blending linguistic detail with cultural context.

Conclusion

This episode provides a concise yet deep dive into the word "noel," making connections from modern usage back through French and Latin, and illustrating its cultural resonance during the Christmas season.

For definitions, wordplay, and trending lookups, visit Merriam-Webster.com.