The word "betiding" is derived from the Middle English word "bityden", which itself comes from the Old English word "bitīdan". The Old English "bitīdan" consists of two elements: "bi-" meaning "around" or "near" and "tīdan" meaning "to happen" or "occur". Therefore, "betyden" essentially means "to happen or occur around or near something". Over time, this pronunciation evolved to "betiding".