Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare’s Words, New Words and Your Words
Part I: Shakespeare’s Words
Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare’s WordsShakespeare invented more words than
most people even know. In fact, there are at least 1,500 different words and phrases that don't appear anywhere prior to the Bard of Avon putting them on paper. When he got stuck trying to think up a word, the man just made his own.
Shakespeare’s Words
It's kind of like what rappers do today, except the words Shakespeare made up were embedded into our culture.
Shakespeare’s WordsAlligatorFirst used: Romeo and JulietAct V, Scene I, Romeo Soliloquy"And in his needie shop a Tortoyrs hung,
An Allegater stuft, and other skinsOf ill shap'd fishes, and about his shelues,A beggerly account of emptie boxes."
Shakespeare’s WordsEyeball
First used: A Midsummer Night's DreamAct III, Scene ii, Oberon to Puck"Then crush this herb into Lysander's eye;
Whose liquor hath this virtuous property,To take from thence all error with his might,And make his eyeballs roll with wonted sight."
Shakespeare’s WordsPukingFirst Used: As You Like ItAct II, Scene vii, Jaques to Duke Senior. "They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms."
Shakespeare’s WordsBreak the ice (The Taming of the
Shrew)Dead as a doornail (Henry VI)Elbow room (King John)Forever and a day (As You Like It)In a pickle (The Tempest)Knock knock! Who's there? (Macbeth)Wear my heart upon my sleeve
(Othello)
Part II: New Words
Romeo and Juliet
New WordsAs a class, let’s brainstorm
new words created since you were born, (or words used in a new way).
Here are a couple of examples: OnlineWeb siteClick (as in click of a
mouse)
New WordsThe Oxford English dictionary The most recent edition (printed in 1989)
contains more than 600,000 words on more than 21,000 pages in 20 volumes. It is updated monthly online.
New WordsWords added to Oxford English Dictionary in 2008:
Aerobicized: (adj.) toned by aerobic exercise
Bahookie: (n.) Scottish for a person’s buttocks
Mzee: (n.) In East Africa, an older person; an elder
Obesogenic: (adj.) Plank: (n.) In Great Britain, a stupid person
Riffage: (n.) informal guitar riffs, especially in rock music
Part III: Your Words
Romeo and Juliet
Your WordsDirections: Now it’s your turn. As
homework, create ten new words. Beside your words write what part
of speech each word is (n., v., adj., etc.) and write a definition for each word.
Remember, we will share these in class, so make all your words appropriate!