BNC selects a Berkeley cultural treasure to feature in each eNEWS issue. Since we started, BNC has expanded this section so that we now consider community organizations, businesses, activities, architecture, events, and people that make the City of Berkeley such a special place. However, whatever or whoever is nominated for this section must reside in, or have a strong connection with Berkeley, and be nominated by a Berkeley resident who has no connection, other than that of an ordinary patron of, or a participant in, whatever is being nominated. Submissions may be sent to newsletter@berkeleyneighborhoodscouncil.com. BNC will notify the selected treasure.
In our last eNEWS issue our selection was Words, Words, Words because they are so basic to the intellectual pursuits that capture the attention of and engage Berkeleyans of all persuasions — speaking at meetings and protests; attending lectures; freely expressing opinions to newspapers and media; simply enjoying a good book from our well-used, wonderful public libraries and our many Little Free Libraries that flourish in all our neighborhoods. This was something of a hit, and with the United Nation’s English Language Day coming up on April 23, we couldn’t resist continuing the theme —
MORE Words, Words, Words, this time by Shakespeare
Here is a list of words/phrases that were used for the first time by Shakespeare — every day expressions that all of us use frequently. BNC predicts that most of us had no knowledge whatsoever that we were quoting Shakespeare all along.
The Shakespeare List:
Bated breath Be all, end all Brave new world Break the ice Breathed his last Come what may Dead as a doornail Faint hearted Fair play/Foul play Fight fire with fire For goodness sake Full circle Good riddance Green-eyed monster Heart of gold Heart of hearts Knock, knock! Who’s there? In a pickle Laughing stock |
Lie low Love is blind Makes your hair stand on end Naked truth Not slept one wink Off with his head Out of the jaws of death Seen better days Send him packing Set your teeth on edge So-So The game is up The world is my oyster Too much of a good thing Vanish into thin air Wear your heart on your sleeve What’s done is done Wild Goose Chase |
O.K. BNC is convinced there are probably more that could be added to the above. However, BNC thinks we should move on to wondering how to appropriately celebrate April 23 which incidentally was selected because it’s The Bard’s birthday and apparently also the day he died. So, in celebration of Mr. Shakespeare, the English language and Berkeley, we are issuing a challenge for each of you:
Write a short paragraph or two (not more) that uses each and every word on the above Shakespeare list in a story that is set in one of today’s Berkeley neighborhoods.
Your prize: We’ll post your amazing work in our next issue!