by Dictionary Scoop We toss around old sayings without thinking twice. But have you ever wondered where these phrases actually came from? You might be surprised (and a little unsettled) to find out that many of them have pretty grim backstories. Even if we’re keeping things light and curious, you’ll never look at …
Tag Archives: Shakespeare
More Genius Phrasing From Shakespeare
by Kevin Burton Shakespeare’s genius influenced many phrases and idioms we unknowingly use every day. That’s why Dictionary Scoop put together a list of common expressions that were either created or made famous by Shakespeare and his characters. We listed five of them yesterday on Page 7. Today, five more. “American literary critic …
Some Phrases We Got From Shakespeare
by Kevin Burton I feel bad that I haven’t read anything by Shakespeare all the way through. Don’t know why I feel that way. The next person who asks me if I have read Shakespeare, will be the first. So it doesn’t really matter. Ask me in public, “Shakespeare or Steely Dan” …
Trivia Time: “Good Night, Sleep Tight”
by Kevin Burton I don’t think trivia is trivial, do you? Trivial means of little value or importance. Not all of what can be called trivia fits that description. Some is news I can use. Anyway, my friend Tracy sent me the following trivia months ago and I am just now getting …
Sister Cities Make The Most Of Boring Names
by Kevin Burton My first editor used to say there are no boring towns, only boring people. I am with him on that. I always smiled at the thought of his then kindergarten-age daughter repeating that at school and getting into trouble. No idea if that ever happened. When my wife was …
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Can We Count On Our Better Angels?
by Kevin Burton From Shakespeare to Lincoln to Susan Ashton come thoughts today of “better angels.” “Better angels of our nature,” was the phrase Lincoln used in his first inaugural address. That speech was a plea, ultimately ignored, for unity in a nation divided over the issue of slavery. We think Lincoln …
Words From A Learned Feline Bard
by Kevin Burton If you love Shakespeare, or cats, or both, today I’ve got you covered. I’m not as familiar with the works of Shakespeare as I am the works of say, Three Dog Night. I say this to my own shame. But I know cats. I love cats, sure as I’m …
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