Shakespeare’s Lost Words and the Importance of the Dictionary Project.

Shakespeare and the “Fakespeare” Phenomenon

Lexicographer Susie Dent recently revealed a surprising insight about William Shakespeare. While many people believe he invented words like eyeball, hobnob, puking, and zany, Dent suggests he often recorded language already used in everyday conversations.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends, Dent explained that Shakespeare acted as a “spokesperson” for the words of his time. His plays were printed and preserved, but ordinary people’s conversations — especially women’s — were not. As a result, Shakespeare’s writing became the earliest known record of many common words.

This widespread misattribution among dictionary researchers has earned the nickname  “Fakespeare,” Dent, who worked with the Oxford English Dictionary, said teams often find earlier examples of words once believed to be Shakespeare’s inventions. For instance, the word assassination, which appears in Macbeth, was actually used decades earlier by Sir Thomas Smith in a 1572 letter.

Why Dictionaries Matter Today

Dent’s findings directly connect to the importance of efforts like The Dictionary Project. Dictionaries don’t just list words — they preserve everyday language and ensure future generations understand how people spoke, thought, and lived.

When students receive their own dictionary, they gain more than definitions. They get a living history of language. They can see how English has evolved, capturing not only formal vocabulary but also regional dialects and cultural expressions.

Projects like The Dictionary Project make sure that the words of today’s students — just like the words of everyday Elizabethans — are valued and preserved. Every child with a dictionary can explore language and maybe even add their own new words someday.

Protecting Every Voice

Thanks to dictionary donation programs across America, millions of students now have personal access to words that shape their understanding of the world. This is more than a gift. It is a powerful way to honor all voices — not just the famous ones.

Shakespeare’s brilliance may have immortalized words, but it’s everyday people who truly shape language. Thanks to The Dictionary Project, today’s young readers and writers can continue that legacy.