Gifts from Shakespeare

By Emma | Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:58 | 0 comments

Top 10 Shakespearian phrases we still use in the English language today

To celebrate the upcoming release of Anonymous, we’ve taken a look into the enduring influence William Shakespeare has had upon the language we use today. Many of the words and phrases we use on a daily basis are taken straight from the plays of Shakespeare. Here is our list of the ten most surprising.

1. As dead as a doornail

“CADE: Look on me well: I have eat no meat these five days; yet, come thou and thy five men, and if I do not leave you all as dead as a doornail, I pray God I may never eat grass more.” - King Henry VI, Part II, Act IV, Scene x

Meaning – As dead as a doornail means that someone or something is either dead or useless. In Shakespeare’s context, it implies the men will end up being killed or severely wounded if they try to fight Cade. It is uncertain why the object “doornail” was used as a comparison to being dead, but after doornails are hammered into wood they become bent and are unusable. A door nail only has one use, which is similar to humans having one life.

Today – We use the phrase as dead as a doornail for absolutely anything that breaks, such as leaving the headlights on in your car overnight, and returning to find that your car won’t start because the battery is as dead as a doornail.

2. Foul play

“BIRON: Honest plain words best pierce the ear of grief;
And by these badges understand the king.
For your fair sakes have we neglected time,
Play'd foul play with our oaths.” - Love's Labours Lost, Act V, Scene ii

Meaning – Foul Play means to break the rules of a game or sport through treacherous or dishonest means. In the context of Shakespeare, Biron is referring to breaking his oath to the king, and he puts the blame on time, for being treacherous and making him forget to uphold his oath. In sport, the rules are decided upon before play begins. If a player tries to win by breaking the rules, they would be guilty of foul play.

Today – In sitcoms and crime shows on television, we often hear phrases, such as “I suspect there is foul play involved” and “there seems to have been evidence of foul play”. Even in movies, the phrase foul play will be used to increase the tension in dramatic scenes.

3. Green-eyed monster

“IAGO: O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;
It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on; that cuckold lives in bliss
Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger;
But, O, what damned minutes tells he o'er
Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves!” - Othello, Act III, Scene iii

Meaning – Green-eyed monster means the sin of jealousy and envy. In the above context, Shakespeare compares the feeling of jealousy to cats, who torment the mice they catch before they kill them. Why jealousy is green-eyed, and not another colour, may also be a reference to someone who is very ill. As one of the seven deadly sins, jealousy is a monster because it can possess you and lead you into sin.

Today – We still use green-eyed monster today when someone is jealous. However, to fit the times, this phrase is sometimes shortened to green with envy, or just green.

4. Hot-blooded

“FALSTAFF: The Windsor bell hath struck twelve; the minute draws on. Now, the hot-blooded-Gods assist me!” - The Merry Wives of Windsor, Act V, Scene v

Meaning – Hot-blooded is used to describe someone who is quick to temper. In the context of Shakespeare, Falstaff uses the epithet hot-blooded to describe the gods. If these are the Greek and Roman gods that Falstaff is referring to, then these gods have a reputation for being quick to anger, hence the use of hot-blooded.

Today – This phrase is still commonly used today to refer to someone known for their quick temper. It may be given as a warning to someone advising them not to provoke one who is hot-blooded. The phrase can also be found amongst popular culture, particularly music. For example, “Hot Blooded” by Foreigner. In this context hot blooded means very, very passionate.

5. Heart’s content

“JESSICA: I wish your Ladiship all hearts content.”
- The Merchant of Venice, Act III, Scene iv

Meaning – Heart’s content means whatever you desire, you will have, and thus be content. In the context of Shakespeare, Jessica wishes her lady to receive everything she desires, which will make her happy and content.

Today – This phrase is still widely in use today, but it is used in jest more often than taken seriously. Instead of matters of deep desire, it refers to something specific, such as “Eat to your heart’s content”. It is sometimes used as a qualifier by parents to their children: “Do your homework, and then you can play outside to your heart’s content”.

6. In a pickle

“ALONSO: And Trinculo is reeling ripe: where should they
Find this grand liquor that hath gilded 'em?
How camest thou in this pickle?
TRINCULO: I have been in such a pickle since I
saw you last that, I fear me, will never out of
my bones: I shall not fear fly-blowing.” - The Tempest, Act V, Scene i

Meaning – In a pickle refers to being in trouble or a difficult situation. In a pickle originated from the foods that would sit in a jar of brine, a process known as pickling. In a pickling jar, the foods would all be mixed together, which has also led to the development of other phrases such as in a stew, in a fix, and in a jam.

Today – This phrase most often used for less serious matters, such as leaving your lunch at home and not having time to run home and get it. Being in a pickle also refers to having a big decision to make and being unsure of the choice.

7. It was Greek to me

“CASSIUS: Did Cicero say any thing?
CASCA: Ay, he spoke Greek.
CASSIUS: To what effect?
CASCA: Nay, an I tell you that, I’ll ne'er look you i' the
face again: but those that understood him smiled at
one another and shook their heads; but, for mine own
part, it was Greek to me.” - Julius Caesar, Act I, Scene ii

Meaning - It was Greek to me suggests you are unable to understand what was being said. In the context of Shakespeare, it implies that Casca has no idea what was said, because being a Roman, he speaks Latin, not Greek.

Today – We use the phrase it was Greek to me when we don’t understand something, even if it is spoken in our mother tongue.

8. The game is up

“BELARIUS: Euriphile, Thou wast their nurse; they took thee for their mother,
And every day do honour to her grave:
Myself, Belarius, that am Morgan call'd,
They take for natural father. The game is up.” - Cymbeline, Act III, Scene iii

Meaning – The game is up literally means that a game or sport is finished, but it also holds the meaning that someone’s tricks have been exposed. In the context of Shakespeare, Belarius claims that the game is up; that the nurse has been found out, and her deception has been exposed.

Today – The game is up is still widely used today in a variety of contexts. For example, a parent will find that their child has been stealing cookies from the cookie jar, and the parent will tell their child, “The game is up, I know you’ve been taking all the cookies”. Or a spouse may come home and say, “The game is up, I know you’ve been cheating on me”.

9. Wear my heart upon my sleeve

“IAGO: For when my outward action doth demonstrate
The native act and figure of my heart
In compliment extern, 'tis not long after
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at: I am not what I am.” - Othello, Act I, scene i

Meaning – To wear my heart upon my sleeve means that one acts upon their feelings and emotions. In the context of Shakespeare, Iago claims that everyone must now know how he feels because of his actions. It is thought that this might have originated from the colours knights would wear over their armour to signify the lady that they supported.

Today – To wears one’s heart upon one’s sleeve is very much in use today, referring to someone who does not hide their emotions. A person who laughs at every joke, or gets angry quickly is said to wear their heart upon their sleeve.

10. Wild goose chase

“ROMEO: Switch and spurs, switch and spurs; or I'll cry a match.
MERCUTIO: Nay, if thy wits run the wild-goose chase, I have done, for thou hast more of the wild-goose in one of thy wits than, I am sure, I have in my whole five.”
- Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene iv

Meaning – A wild goose chase refers to a popular game during the Shakespearean era. The game is thought to involve someone on horseback performing a series of jumps and moves, and another person on horseback repeating them. In the context of Shakespeare, this does indeed refer to the erratic pattern found in the game of a wild goose chase. The name for this game may have been based on the actual patterns of geese, who follow the leader’s wild movements in the air.

Today – Now, when we say we are on a wild goose chase, it means that we are looking for something that is almost impossible to find or something that is almost impossible to accomplish.

Sourced from: www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/phrases-sayings-shakespeare.html

Anonymous is out in cinemas on October 28th