There are literally hundreds of words and many phrases in the English language originally coined by William Shakespeare.
Best known for his plays which include Ling Lear, Macbeth, Anthony and Cleopatra, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, etc. and etc., he is considered the greatest playwright in the English language. He died on his very birthday, at 52, in 1616.
Not only do these great works of literature endure to this day, but we may, without knowing it, be quoting the great Bard in our everyday use of our language.
The Website “pathguy.com” has compiled a delightful list of words and phrases coined by the master.
For many English-speakers, the following phrases are familiar enough to be considered common expressions, proverbs, and/or clichés. All of them originated with or were popularized by Shakespeare.
- All our yesterdays (Macbeth)
- All that glitters is not gold (The Merchant of Venice)(“glisters”)
- All’s well that ends well (title)
- As good luck would have it (The Merry Wives of Windsor)
World-Wide Business Centres
Office Space, Meeting Rooms and Virtual Offices
575 Madison Avenue – 10th floor
New York, NY 10022
(212) 605-0200
