Comments on: Phrases Shakespeare Invented

By: Jay LeFevre

Jay LeFevre — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 14:17:01 +0000

Pardon me, but “baited breath” is incorrect. The Bard did not insert an ‘I’ in the word.
It should be “bated breath.”
It’s linked to the word, “abate” (reduce) and means that the breath is held in, held back, that the person “hardly dares breathe.”
It has nothing to do with “bait,” such as an enticing substance or opportunity, designed to lure a victim into a trap or onto a hook.

By: Brian Grover

Brian Grover — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 21:31:03 +0000

Nice list and very excellent backgrounder on some of these Shakespearisms…

By: S Preethi

S Preethi — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 07:04:24 +0000

I’m finished mam

By: John Lay

John Lay — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 08:49:44 +0000

I’ve amassed most of S’s literature over the years but I have to say this little piece of concentrated information is brilliant because it encapsulates every “last word” of the bard’s more famous phrases.

By: John

John — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 20:10:56 +0000

In reply to Dee.

Correct Dee! In this article we’re looking at phrases in use today that Shakespeare invented, and whilst the original was indeed “all that glisters…”, these days it’s evolved into “all that glitters…”. Much more on that here: https://nosweatshakespeare.mystagingwebsite.com/quotes/all-that-glitters-is-not-gold/

By: de Beauregard

de Beauregard — Fri, 25 Dec 2015 03:04:08 +0000

“All the world is a stage” from As you like it. Often quoted, in the French translation at least.

By: James Sims

James Sims — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 04:37:37 +0000

How about some more from Hamlet? ‘Something is rotten in Denmark’ from “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” ‘Method in his madness’ is a paraphrase of “Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t” ‘Piece of work’ from “What a piece of work is a man…” “Sweets to the sweet.”
How many motion picture titles can you find from Hamlet’s 3rd soliloquy? 4 come immediately to mind…”To Be or Not to Be” (1983), “Outrageous Fortune” (1987). Star Trek VI “The Undiscovered Country” (1991). “What dreams May Come” (1998).

By: S. Lamarque

S. Lamarque — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 08:45:37 +0000

In reply to Dee.

Yes, you’re right! Than you for pointing it out; it really irritates me when this one is misquoted.

The Merchant of Venice: Act 2, Sc.7, line 65.
Prince of Morocco
All that glisters is not gold.

By: Dee

Dee — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:23:05 +0000

The very first phrase here – I believe it is normally “All that glisters is not gold”

By: Thanseer

Thanseer — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 21:33:08 +0000

phrase “my salad days” from shakespear play.