Shakespeare invented many familiar words and phrases. Find five examples that Shakespeare invented and that we still use today. Define what they meant in Shakespeare's time and what they mean now.
(I tried to look some up but they did not give the information on what they used to mean, so I am kind of stuck.)
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/phrases-sayings-shakespeare.html
You can look up different sayings here.
Great question! Shakespeare indeed coined many words and phrases that are still widely used today. Here are five examples along with their original meanings in Shakespeare's time and their current meanings:
1. "Eyeball" - In Shakespeare's time, "eyeball" referred to the actual physical organ of sight. Today, it means the same thing, denoting the rounded part of the eye.
2. "Assassination" - In Shakespeare's era, "assassination" originally meant any intentional killing or murder. However, in modern usage, it specifically refers to the act of murdering a prominent or political figure.
3. "Gossip" - In Shakespearean English, "gossip" referred to someone who was a close friend or relative. Over time, its meaning shifted, and now "gossip" primarily means casual, informal conversation about others, often involving rumors.
4. "Dwindle" - In Shakespeare's era, "dwindle" meant to gradually disappear or vanish entirely. Nowadays, we still use it to describe the act of becoming smaller, weaker, or fewer in number.
5. "Lonely" - In Shakespearean English, "lonely" meant to be unaccompanied by others. This usage is still prevalent today, as it describes the feeling of being alone or isolated.
To find these examples and learn more about Shakespeare's language, one useful resource is the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). However, I should note that while Shakespeare is often credited with these words, it's possible that he popularized some of them rather than being their sole creator. Language is constantly evolving, and Shakespeare's contributions played a significant role in shaping the modern English language we use today.