How Shakespeare Invented Over 1,700 Words and Phrases Still Used Today

Imagine inventing words that people still use 400 years later.

That’s exactly what Shakespeare did.

He wasn’t just a playwright—he was a language pioneer.

When he couldn’t find the right word, he simply made one up.

From 'eyeball' to 'swagger,' his creativity filled gaps in English, making it richer and more expressive.

But how did he do it, and why do his inventions still stick with us today?

Shakespeare’s genius was in his fearless experimentation.

He borrowed from Latin, French, and Italian, twisted old English, and even mashed words together.

For example, he created 'bedazzled' by combining 'be' and 'dazzle.' He didn’t care about breaking language rules—he cared

about making his characters come alive.

This playful approach gave English a burst of new vocabulary, and audiences loved the freshness of his language.

Some of Shakespeare’s inventions were completely new words, like 'lonely,' 'gossip,' and 'fashionable.' Others were phrases we still

use, such as 'break the ice' and 'wild-goose chase.' He had a knack for capturing human experiences in

just a few words, making his language memorable.

These phrases stuck because they were vivid, relatable, and easy to remember—qualities that help language survive through centuries.

Shakespeare didn’t just invent words for fun—he used them to shape his characters and stories.

When Hamlet calls life an 'undiscovered country,' or when Macbeth talks about 'the milk of human kindness,' these

phrases reveal deep emotions and ideas.

By inventing new ways to express thoughts, Shakespeare made his plays more powerful and relatable, ensuring his words

would echo far beyond the stage.

What’s wild is that many of Shakespeare’s words and phrases entered everyday speech without people realizing their origin.

When you say someone has a 'heart of gold' or that something is 'too much of a good

thing,' you’re quoting Shakespeare.

His language became so natural that it blended seamlessly into English, proving that the best inventions are the

ones we use without even thinking about them.

Shakespeare’s influence didn’t stop with his own era.

Writers, poets, and even scientists borrowed his words to describe new ideas and discoveries.

His inventive spirit inspired generations to play with language, leading to even more creativity in English.

The ripple effect of his wordplay can be seen in everything from classic literature to modern pop culture,

proving that language is always evolving—and Shakespeare helped set it in motion.

So next time you use words like 'bedroom,' 'majestic,' or 'addiction,' remember you’re speaking Shakespeare’s language.

His fearless creativity didn’t just entertain audiences—it transformed how we communicate.

The next great word might be just one bold idea away.

Who knows?

Maybe you’ll invent the next phrase that lasts for centuries, just like the Bard did.