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Shakespeare has been credited by the Oxford English Dictionary with introducing almost 3,000 words to the English language. Estimations of his vocabulary range from 17,000 to a dizzying 29,000 words – at least double the number of words used by the average conversationalist.

 --In a pickle, wild goose chase, one fell swoop, swag, gloomy, gossip, lackluster, negotiate, puking, zany, hint, birthplace, laughable, bated breath, brave new world, catch a cold, crack of doom, eaten me out of house and home, elbow room, fancy free, forever and a day, full circle, heart of gold, in my heart of hearts, in my mind's eye, kill with kindness, lauging stock, love is blind, milk of human kindness, one fell swoop, own flesh and blood, pomp and circumstance, the short and long of it, to thine own self be true, what's done is done, the world's my oyster, birthplace, cold-blooded, cold-hearted, eyeball, eye sore, knock knock who's there?

There is documentary proof that Shakespeare was baptised on 26th April 1564, and scholars believe that, in keeping with the traditions of the time, he would have been baptised when he was three days old, meaning Shakespeare was probably born on April 23rd. However, as Shakespeare was born under the old Julian calendar, what was April 23rd during Shakespeare’s life would actually be May 3rd according to today’s Gregorian calendar.

Shakespeare’s burial at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford Upon Avon is documented as happening on 25th April 1616. In keeping with traditions of the time it’s likely he would have been buried two days after his death, meaning Shakespeare likely died 23rd April 1616 – his 52nd birthday.