I was slightly skeptical when a teacher friend, relating some of the humorous things he'd heard children say while he patrolled the school playground, explained how many phrases coined by none other than our very own Will Shakespeare continue to be used, often unknowingly, by a whole new generation.

But then it came back to me. During the 'salad days' (Anthony and Cleopatra) of my youth, with Mother's constant complaint about being 'eaten out of house and home' (Henry IV) by my brothers and I, back when Shakespeare's words on a page were frankly 'all Greek to me' (Julius Caesar), we would throw around expressions like 'as dead as a doornail' (Henry VI) or 'in stitches' (Twelfth Night), without even a fleeting thought to the bard.

'More fool you' (Taming of the Shrew) was one of my rather intimidating Aunt's favourites, along with 'send him packing' (Henry IV) and 'good riddance' (Troilus and Cressida). I doubt she'd ever picked up a single volume of his work, yet without 'rhyme nor reason' (As You Like It), she would quote him incessantly.

Will's legacy to the English speaking world is without a doubt 'too much of a good thing' (As You Like It) and whether you've actually read his words is 'neither here nor there' (Othello), you'll probably continue using them unknowingly until the day you shuffle off this mortal coil.

Oh, and that's from Hamlet, by the way.