hlāford
The Old English way to say "sir" is hlāford.
hlāford is a noun used to address any male, particularly when his specific name or proper address is unknown.
Meaning: address to any male, especially if his name or proper address is unknown (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word hlāford is a compound of hlāf (bread) and weard (ward or keeper), which literally means "bread-ward" or "bread-keeper."
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions, the term eorl was used to mean "earl" or "nobleman."
Did you know?
- While hlāford became 'lord', the word hlāf also gave us the modern English word 'loaf', meaning a shaped mass of bread.
- The word hlāford is a compound involving weard, which is the ancestor of the modern English word 'ward' as in 'warden'.
- In Old English, addressing someone as hlāford was less about politeness and more about acknowledging a legal and social bond of protection.
Examples in context
- Hwæt dō þū, hlāford?What are you doing, sir?
- Ic þē sēce, hlāford.I seek you, sir.
Example conversation
A woman asks a man for assistance in a village.
- WulfrunEalā, hlāford, mē is nēod.Alas, sir, I have a need.
- EadricHwæt is þīn nēod, Wulfrun?What is your need, Wulfrun?
- WulfrunIc þurfe þē, hlāford.I need you, sir.
- EadricIc þē helpe.I will help you.
