This is definitely a word I’m going to start using on a day to day basis where applicable. With all these words of the day that I’m trying to use, one must imagine a conversation with me to be rather colorful. Don’t be disappointed if I prove otherwise.

shog (v.) IPA Pronunciation:
go away, leave, be gone

NYM
Shall we shog?
- Henry V (II.iii)

Also shog off. Now’s your time to shog and use it in a conversation. You will sound so wordly-wise.

Here’s another word that’s fun to say. It tumbles out of the mouth like a barrel from a very small water fall. Maybe not, but it’s a nice visual.

moiety (n.) IPA Pronunciation:
portion, part, half

HOTSPUR
Methinks my moiety, north from Burton here,
In quantity equals not one of yours:
- Henry IV, Part 1 (III.i)

This is a word that Shakespeare uses quite a few times, so it’s a good one to know. Sometimes the meaning is implied (as in the above quote), but often it’s not as obvious. That’s why it helps to do your homework!

I’ve been having a great time using past words of the day in my daily speech, have you? Now’s a great time to start using new words! I have tried to work “yerk” into my conversations whenever possible. Shakespeare would be so proud! Here’s another to add to your mental index. Have at it, verbivores!

rivage (n.) IPA Pronunciation:
a bank, shore, coast

CHORUS
… O, do but think
You stand upon the rivage and behold
A city on th’ inconstant billows dancing;
- Henry V (III.prologue)

I encourage you to use these new words. Now there’s no need to use weird or big words just to make you sound smart. That would be insegrevious of you, and you will be thought of as a quoob. Have you heard those before? They’re not Shakespeare, but still fun.

Pardon me, sir; I have heard the word.
- Henry IV, part 2 (III.ii)

Yerk yerk yerk! It’s fun to say. It almost sounds like a word Dr. Seuss would write. YERK!

yerk (v.) IPA Pronunciation:
thrust, strike, beat

MONTJOY
…and their wounded steeds
Fret fetlock deep in gore and with wild rage
Yerk out their armed heels at their dead masters,
Killing them twice.
- Henry V (IV.vii)

Here’s a tip: Read through a play of Shakespeare without looking at footnotes. You don’t need them as much as you think you do. But keep a notepad handy and write down some interesting or unusual words to look up later. That is, in fact, how I came across this word!

Here’s a word I was asked to define today while in a rehearsal for a production Romeo and Juliet I am “voice/text coaching,” it’s also another word you can use to badmouth someone.

hilding (n. or adj.) IPA Pronunciation:
worthless, good-for-nothing

CAPULET
Out on her, hilding!
- Romeo and Juliet (III.v)

Thou art a hilding fellow that doth not
Spice up thy language with a Shakespeare diss.

Not as in Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the. Hm. If Darth Vader were a Shakespearean character, who would he be? I’ll get back to you on that one. Do you have any ideas? But I digress… on to the word!

sith (conj.) IPA Pronunciation:
since

HAMLET
…I do not know
Why yet I live to say ‘This thing’s to do;’
Sith I have cause and will and strength and means
To do’t.
- Hamlet (IV.iv)

Our modern word “since” is used a conjunction as well as an adverb and a preposition, but all the uses I found of “sith” are a conjunction, but there may be exceptions. But why bother? Students these days don’t learn these parts of speech in school. They are taught, though soon forgotten.

The great part about Shakespeare’s language is that it contains certain uncommon words that are fun on the tongue.

deceptious (adj.) IPA Pronunciation:
deceptive, deceiving

TROILUS
As if those organs had deceptious functions
- Troilus and Cressida (V.ii)

Deceptious is among the list of words in Shakespeare that is very similar to a modern word that means the same thing, but sound this one out. Play with the sounds! There is a certain severity in this sound that just isn’t present in any word you might normally use. Shakespeare knows how to play with his words to make them, well, speak. Spice up your modern chat with some classic language.

Modern insults are rather uncreative. Our vocabulary has become drab and boring when you want to make yourself feel better by making someone else feel worse. Today’s word of the day aims to solve that problem.

jackanape (n.) IPA Pronunciation:
buffoon, monkey

DIANA
That jackanapes with scarfs: why is he melancholy?
-All’s Well That Ends Well

“That guy totally cut me off! THOU PEEVISH JACKANAPE!” It’ll catch on. All in good time.