William Shakespeare invented hundreds of words, shaping the English language more than any other person. My favorite seven are:
- Bedazzled– to confuse by or as if by a strong light
- Swagger– to conduct oneself in an arrogant or superciliously pompous manner
- Eyeball– the more or less globular capsule of the vertebrate eye formed by the sclera and cornea together with their contained structures
- Assassination– murder by sudden or secret attack, often for political reasons: the act or an instance of assassinating someone (such as a prominent political leader)
- Cold-blooded– having cold blood
- Eventful– full of or rich in events
- Addiction– a strong inclination to do, use, or indulge in something repeatedly
At the Folger Shakespeare Library here in DC, you can see the 82 first Folios containing these invented words and many more.
The Folger is the largest collection of Shakespeare’s works in the world, located next to the Capitol Visitors Center in the heart of Washington, DC. It even has its own theater where you can see Shakespeare’s works performed live.
To learn more about the Folger Shakespeare Library and plan your visit, check out their website.
