Shakespeare Words

Shakespearean, not stirred.

If Shakespeare wrote it, we've Shmooped it.

Grovel

Invented in Henry IV Part 2

Mother Jourdain, be you

With so many servants around in Shakespeare's day, it's no wonder they needed a word for being humble and showing some respect. In fact, he got the word from groveling and just worked backwards.

Yeah, Shakespeare's sneaky like that.


Tag: Henry IV Part 2

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