For Some, Talk Like Shakespeare Day is Pretty Much Every Day!
April 23rd is National Talk Like Shakespeare Day. Most of us are already familiar with phrases associated with William Shakespeare's plays. You know, phrases like "To be or not to be." But what most of us are unfamiliar with are the many modern-day phrases that originated from Shakespearian plays. In fact, believe it or not, many of us actually talk like Shakespeare pretty much every day!
No, I'm not saying that we go around every day saying things like "What is upeth mine peeps," because that would cause a sane person to reply "And you're the laughing stock of the entire group of peeps." But guess what mine peeps? "Laughing stock" is an expression that is a direct descendant of one of William Shakespeare's plays! Which play? I don't know and, frankly, I don't care. In fact, old Bill Shakespeare was the main reason I developed a very vigorous aversion to English Literature when I was in school. It was all Greek to me! And guess what? Shakespeare said that too! "It's Greek to me" was yet another line from old Bill's lingo.
So as you can see, even with those few examples, it's obvious that we be talkin' like Shakespeare all the time! I mean, people mutter, "it's all Greek to me" practically every time they have to click "I accept" for yet another online Terms and Conditions. The fine print on some of those legalese-loaded agreements can take a full 20 minutes—not to read—but just to scroll to the bottom of! To whomever decided that people need to agree to million-word Terms and Conditions before we can buy a toothbrush online, all I can say is, “Off with his head!” But wait—I remember that one! “Off with his head” was from Shakespeare’s Richard III!
As for commemorating Talk Like Shakespeare Day, some people plan to spend the day adding "eth" to the end of words, and tossing other words like “tis,” “twill,” "thou," "thee" and "ye" into their casual conversations. And that's all fineth and cooleth, but technically speaking, methinks we would be talking like Shakespeare even if we spent the day telling knock-knock jokes! Yes, mine peeps, "Knock-knock, who's there?" began with old Billy Shakespeare. Woweth!
So, in case you decide tis best to commemorate Talk Like Shakespeare Day by reciting Shakespearean expressions that have truly stood the test of time, hither art a few thee might findeth useful…
1.For goodness' sake
2.Love is blind
3.Good riddance!
4.Play fast and loose
5.Forever and a day
6.Wild goose chase
7.You can't have too much of a good thing!
8.Laughing stock
9.Heart of gold
10.Bated breath
11.Jealousy is the green-eyed monster
12.Dead as a doornail
13.Eaten me out of house and home
14.Off with his head
15.There’s something rotten in the state of Denmark
16.Fancy-free
17.In my heart of hearts
18.In my mind's eye
19.It's Greek to me
20.Pure as the driven snow
21.As good luck would have it
22.You've got to be cruel to be kind
23.Wear my heart upon my sleeve
24.Kill with kindness
25.Neither a borrower nor a lender be
26.Make your hair stand on end
27.Set my teeth on edge
28.There’s method to my madness
29.Woe is me
30.Knock, knock. Who's there?
Or … celebrate the day with a few choice knock-knock jokes:
Knock, knock.
Who's there?
William Shakespeare.
William Shakespeare who?
Willian Shakespeare cans so they explode when you open them!
Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Mike.
Mike who?
Mike Ingdom for a horse!
Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Toby.
Toby who?
Toby or not to be! That is the question.
National Talk Like Shakespeare Day
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