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Knowledge of our past is our inheritance. What we do with that knowledge will shape our destinies...

Monday, May 20, 2013

Historical Tidbit--Shakespeare

**FYI: I'm out of town this week so while my posts are going up automatically, I won't be doing as much commenting/ communicating this week. I probably won't get around to many emails until after memorial day. Sorry for any inconvenience.**

Did you know...?
en.wikipedia.org

That the custom of carrying the bride over the threshold didn't exist until the 16th century?

That the world "wormhole" was known clear back during the English Renaissance?

That eyes were not known as "eyeballs" until the time of Queen Elisabeth I?

What do all these things have in common? Two words: William Shakespeare!!!

There are literally dozens of words, phrases, and customs that were invented by (or at least not recorded until he did it) and are therefore attributed to him. These include words like "alligator," "puking," "skim milk," and "hot-blooded," among others.

No wonder Shakespeare is thought of as the greatest writer in the history of the English language. Not only have his plays survived the years and still connect with people today, but he influenced our culture in so many other ways as well. What would the world be like today without Shakespeare's influence?

What do YOU think Shakespeare's greatest influence on modern culture is?

1 comment:

  1. I had no idea he is the father of so many of these words. Clever man he was.

    ReplyDelete