SHAKESPEARE: Imagine being so clever that around 1,700 words are credited to your creation. We’re referring, of course, to William Shakespeare.
He created the name Jessica, popularized the name Olivia, and is credited with having something to do with the names Imogen, Miranda, Viola and Cordelia.
While some words were already in use, he changed their usage — like elbow, the noun, was changed to elbow, the verb. Howl became a noun, as did discontent, control, dawn, glow and hint. Freezing became an adjective, as did satisfying. Still others were used with different meanings — investment was a piece of clothing, featureless meant ugly, published meant commonly recognized, and buzzer meant tattle tale.
We have The Bard to thank for the words employer and employment, Olympian, fortune teller, misquote, gentlefolk, ode, engagement, restoration, bloodsucking, moonbeam, long-legged, distasteful, mimic, upstairs and so many more.
Shakespeare is known as the greatest writer in the English language, according to the BBC. Some other facts shared: He wasn’t a strong speller, as it wasn’t part of his lessons, and everyone spelled words however they wanted. He spelled his name several ways, too — Willm Shakp, William Shaksper, Wm Shakspe, William Shakspere and Willm Shakspere.
He tried to be an actor first, but was much better at writing plays. He was very productive, writing at least 37 plays in his lifetime, along with many sonnets. In 1609 alone, he published 154 sonnets.
Along with a slew of words, he created well known phrases like “melted into thin air,” “wild goose chase,” “I haven’t slept a wink” and “break the ice.”
He married at the age of 18 and had three children.
