Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing Shakespeare's ‘wherefore’ and other false friends. The language of fear. A Tom.
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Oct 21, 2025 Understanding Shakespearean language can be tricky, especially the true meaning of 'wherefore'—it actually means 'why.' Dive into how Elizabethan English gives new life to iconic words like 'soft' and 'fair.' Explore the evolution of the word 'fear' and its surprising distinctions—like terror vs. fright. Learn about the intriguing history of horror from its roots to modern interpretations, including the eerie legacy of Madame Tussauds. Plus, enjoy a light-hearted familect story about a family’s hilarious misjudgment in moving!
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Wherefore Means Why
- Wherefore in Shakespeare means "why," not "where."
- This false friend shows how modern readers misinterpret Elizabethan English.
Marry Is An Exclamation
- Shakespeare used "marry" as an interjection from "by the Virgin Mary."
- The minced oath shifted meaning to express surprise or emphasis rather than marriage.
Soft Means Wait
- "Soft" in Shakespeare means hold or wait, not gentle.
- Romeo's "soft" asks listeners to pause and notice the light (Juliet) through the window.
