April 23 is National Talk Like Shakespeare Day because it’s the date we celebrate William Shakespeare’s birthday. Was he actually born on April 23? This remains unclear. Records in the 16th century weren’t quite what they are today, as you might imagine.
But actually, we all talk like Shakespeare all the time because he coined upwards of 1,500 English words and expressions commonly used to this day (even in American English). That we need designate a special day to talk like the bard would be laughable*, except that having this day reminds us to acknowledge at least part of the origins of our everyday language.
It’s hard to pin down favorites, but here are 20 I enjoy and find myself using on the regular:
- be all and end all
- break the ice
- brevity is the soul of wit
- catch a cold
- eat out of house and home
- elbowroom
- fancy-free
- foregone conclusion
- green eyed monster
- heart of gold
- lackluster
- leapfrog
- live long day
- method in his madness
- mind’s eye
- too much of a good thing
- wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve
- hobnob
- marketable
- jaded
Tell us in the comments: What Shakespearean words and phrases do you find yourself using? Have any favorites?
*A word coined by the Bard