The Bard accused of cribbing
Shakespeare was wrongly credited with inventing several words and phrases because of Oxford English Dictionary "bias", claims an Australian lecturer.Citing examples such as "it was Greek to me" and "wild goose chase", Melbourne University's David McInnis said online searches of texts found pre-Shakespeare uses for words and phrases for which the Bard is credited."His audiences had to understand at least the gist of what he meant, so his words were mostly in circulation already or were logical combinations of pre-existing concepts," said McInnis, who lectures on Shakespeare.The OED had more than 33000 Shakespeare quotes, including about 1500 listed as the first evidence of a word and 7500 others as first evidence of a particular usage or meaning.However, McInnis said Shakespeare sometimes appeared to have refashioned existing phrases - such as "the better part of valour is discretion" - to make them "concise and catchy". ..
There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.
From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.
For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.
Already subscribed? Sign in below.
Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.