Random Ramblings

Random Ramblings: Personal observations on a wide variety of subjects. Photographs of creatures and things that are taken on seeing the unusual as well as everyday things.

Bright misquote

A long, long, long time ago - I once read Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice." I remember being shocked at discovering that a well used quote was obviously misquoted by everyone and still is.

When describing the sun shining on water or snow we used the term glisten or glistens. When describing a diamond sparkling in a bright light or a gold nugget or piece of metal shining in the earth we use the word glitter or glitters. People often say "All that glitters is not gold!"

The actual word is glisters and the saying is from 'The Merchant of Venice" ...

"All that glisters is not gold;
Often have you heard that told;
Many a man his life hath sold
But my outside to behold:
Gilded tombs do worms infold.
Had you been as wise as bold,
Young in limbs, in judgment old,
Your answer had not been inscroll'd:
Fare you well; your suit is cold.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

"alas, poor Yorick, I knew him Horatio.." is usually quoted, wrongly, as "alas, Poor yorick, I knew him well"

HEALTH NUT WANNABEE MOM said...

Oh wow! How interesting that is. I am going to use glisters. SO neat that you know this.

Leet said...

Hi interesting statements -

Anonymous said...

the definition for glister is "to glisten" "glitter, brilliance" It is probably like Thee and Thy, words people don't use anymore in speech.