Seona Anderson 30/09/2024 Seona Anderson 30/09/2024

SHREW

SHREW: did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew, slander her love, and he forgave her. Shrew is used as an insult to women perceived to be nagging or scolding in several works including 'Taming of the Shrew'.

Seona Anderson 29/09/2024 Seona Anderson 29/09/2024

TURNIP

TURNIP: I had rather be set quick i' th' earth and bowled to death with turnips. Anne finds an vegetable based rejection comparison for an unwanted suitor.

Seona Anderson 29/09/2024 Seona Anderson 29/09/2024

LOUSE

The Louse is mentioned in a couple of plays but 'lousy' is used as an insult in 5 other plays. Lice would have been a familiar parasite in Shakespeare's world.

Seona Anderson 08/06/2024 Seona Anderson 08/06/2024

WAGTAIL

Shakespeare Species Quote of the Day, WAGTAIL: Spare my grey beard, you wagtail. The only mention of the dainty Wagtail is as an insult in King Lear.

Seona Anderson 07/04/2024 Seona Anderson 07/04/2024

WATERFLIES

Shakespeare Species Quote of the Day, WATERFLIES: Ah, how the poor world is pestered with such waterflies, diminutives of nature. Shakespeare intends this as an insult but Waterflies such as the Mayflies have complex & fascinating life cycles.

Seona Anderson 23/02/2024 Seona Anderson 23/02/2024

POLECAT/FITCHEW

Shakespeare Species Quote of the Day, POLECAT or FITCHEW: ‘Tis such another fitchew - marry, a perfumed one! Polecat was used as an insult in Elizabethan England and the Polecat was almost exterminated in Britain by the early 20th Century.