Shakespearean Language

Shakespearean Insults
Combine one word from each of the columns below. Add “Thou” to the beginning and create the perfect insult.


Column A Column B Column C Other phrases:
peevish clay-brained canker blossom Out, you green-sickness carrion!

grizzled dog-hearted clot pole I was searching for a fool when I found you.

greasy evil-eyed hedge-pig Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.

jaded lily-livered dogfish The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes.

waggish mad-bred egg-shell Thou crusty batch of nature.

purple onion-eyed nut-hook Out of my sight! Thou dost infect my eyes.

rank paper-faced pantaloon I’d set my ten commandments in your face.

saucy rump-fed rabbit-sucker Thou smell of mountain goat.

vacant shag-eared snipe Could I come near your beauty with my nails…

yeasty white-livered younker She is spherical, like a globe…

Your breath first kindled the dead coals of wars…

Shakespearean Compliments
Combine one word from each of the columns below. Add “Thou” to the beginning, and you’ve created a sweet compliment.
Column A Column B Column C Other phrases:
rare honey-tongued smilet I am a cast-away love.

sweet well-wishing toast You are the rising sun which I adore.

fruitful fair-faced cukoo-bud You have a face where all good seems to dwell.

brave best-tempered nose-herb I’ll bathe my lips in rosy dews of kisses.

sugared tender-hearted wafer-cake I wear you in my heart.

flowering tiger-booted pigeon-egg You are the miracle of friendship.

precious smooth-faced welsh cheese Mine eyes have feasted on your beauteous face.

gallant thunder-darting song My genius and yours are friends.

delicate sweet-suggesting true-penny You breath casts sweet perfumes.

celestial young-eyed valentine It is no pilgrimage to travel to your lips.

By you, like your shade, I’ll ever dwell.

You, like a comet, do attract all eyes.

Shakespearean Insults
Combine one word from each of the columns below. Add “Thou” to the beginning and create the perfect insult.


Column A Column B Column C Other phrases:
peevish clay-brained canker blossom Out, you green-sickness carrion!

grizzled dog-hearted clot pole I was searching for a fool when I found you.

greasy evil-eyed hedge-pig Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.

jaded lily-livered dogfish The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes.

waggish mad-bred egg-shell Thou crusty batch of nature.

purple onion-eyed nut-hook Out of my sight! Thou dost infect my eyes.

rank paper-faced pantaloon I’d set my ten commandments in your face.

saucy rump-fed rabbit-sucker Thou smell of mountain goat.

vacant shag-eared snipe Could I come near your beauty with my nails…

yeasty white-livered younker She is spherical, like a globe.

Your breath first kindled the dead coals of wars…

Shakespearean Compliments
Combine one word from each of the columns below. Add “Thou” to the beginning, and you’ve created a sweet compliment.
Column A Column B Column C Other phrases:
rare honey-tongued smilet I am a cast-away love.

sweet well-wishing toast You are the rising sun which I adore.

fruitful fair-faced cukoo-bud You have a face where all good seems to dwell.

brave best-tempered nose-herb I’ll bathe my lips in rosy dews of kisses.

sugared tender-hearted wafer-cake I wear you in my heart.

flowering tiger-booted pigeon-egg You are the miracle of friendship.

precious smooth-faced welsh cheese Mine eyes have feasted on your beauteous face.

gallant thunder-darting song My genius and yours are friends.

delicate sweet-suggesting true-penny You breath casts sweet perfumes.

celestial young-eyed valentine It is no pilgrimage to travel to your lips.

By you, like your shade, I’ll ever dwell.

You, like a comet, do attract all eyes.