I’m on a word kick lately, as you might have noticed.

A week or so ago, Christine commented on my website that Shakespeare was a pro at making up words. Turns out that many common words today were first found in the Bard’s work. And by many, I mean 1700 words. (There is disagreement on whether he actually coined all of them, but I think we can all agree that the guy certainly made them famous.)

And some of these words are really common. Like “bedroom.”

Without Shakespeare, my mothering might involve dramatic statements like,

“You will not do a single fun thing until you clean your bedchamber!”

And “bedchamber” makes me think of chamber pots, which I’m not interested in having around my home. So I’m glad “bedroom” is a thing.

 

 

But, I also found several words that I wish we could bring back the word Shakespeare got it from.

 

Gloomy

For instance, he’s credited with coining the word “gloomy.” (“Forced in the ruthless, vast, and gloomy woods?” – Titus Andronicus)

Gloomy is a great word.

Gloomy sky. Gloomy movie. Gloomy kid who didn’t clean his room.

But, Shakespeare got the adjective “gloomy” from the verb “to gloom”

to gloom (verb)

– to appear or become dark, dim, or somber, sad, dismal, or dejected; frown.

– to fill with gloom; make gloomy or sad; sadden, to make dark or somber.

 

I want this word to come back. There are things that gloom me.

 

-98% of the news

-Shakespeare’s tragedies

-Finding out the M&M’s are all eaten

 

These things happen, and I am gloomed.

 

 

Hurry

Another word some attribute to Shakespeare is “hurry.”  (“Lives, honors, lands, and all hurry to loss.” – Henry VI Part 1)

We’re all familiar with “hurry”. We hurry everywhere. Heck, we even hurry through our resting times.

Most likely, the word was derived from the much less common verb “harry”.

harry (verb) 

– to harass, annoy, or prove a nuisance to by or as if by repeated attacks; worry:

But when I’m running late, I’m not so much hurried, as harried.

I’m driving down the road, late for an appointment and the other drivers are harassing me with their own agendas—like wanting to get where they’re going—, and the speed limit is annoying, and I’m repeatedly attacked by worry.

Yes, “harried” sums it up.

 

 

That’s it, I’m bringing all these words back.

 

“Children, yes, I’m harrying you again. But if you don’t clean your bedchamber, I will gloom you.”

 

I think it’s going to catch on.

(Links to lists of Shakespeare words here and here.)