BBB Etymology - Bedlam

While modern usage of bedlam is more about extreme confusion and disorder or uproar, or perhaps in reference to a Marvel Comics mutant character, Bedlam is actually a place, a colloquial pronunciation of the "Hospital of Saint Mary of Bethlehem" in London, founded 1247 as a priory, it was mentioned as a hospital in 1330 and as a lunatic hospital 1402; it was converted to a state lunatic asylum on dissolution of the monasteries in 1547.

Thus, Bethlam Royal Hospital stands as the world's oldest psychiatric hospital.