Shakespeare’s slang: not just for ruffians and tavern-goers
Shakespeare’s plays are packed with slang that would have made Elizabethan audiences snigger – or gasp. Some words sound archaic, others downright absurd. Here’s what they actually meant.
Fustilarian
/fʌsɪˈlɛːrɪən/“A scoundrel or lowly person”
A term for a worthless, contemptible person. Used in Henry IV, Part 2 to describe someone of no importance.
Quatch
/kwɒtʃ/“Fat or plump”
An adjective describing someone chubby or thick-set. Appears in All’s Well That Ends Well as a playful jab.
Giglet
/ˈɡɪɡlɪt/“A flighty or promiscuous woman”
A derogatory term for a woman considered loose or frivolous. Used in Twelfth Night and other plays.
Pribbling
/ˈprɪblɪŋ/“Trifling or petty talk”
Nonsensical chatter. Shakespeare uses it in Henry IV, Part 1 to mock idle conversation.
Mumble-news
/ˈmʌmb(ə)lnjuːz/“A gossip”
Someone who spreads rumours or whispers secrets. Appears in The Winter’s Tale as an insult.
Rudesby
/ˈruːdzbi/“A rude, ill-mannered person”
A straightforward insult for someone lacking manners. Used in Twelfth Night.
Hugger-mugger
/ˈhʌɡəmʌɡə/“Secretive or disorderly”
Either something done in secrecy or a state of chaos. Hamlet uses it to criticise clandestine behaviour.
Bawcock
/ˈbɔːkɒk/“A fine fellow”
A term of endearment for a good-natured man. Appears in Henry V and Twelfth Night.
Galliard
/ˈɡalɪəd/“Lively or spirited”
Describes someone full of energy, often in dance. Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing uses it to mock a man’s vigour.
Skains-mate
/ˈskeɪnzmeɪt/“A rogue or villainous companion”
A disreputable associate. Appears in Romeo and Juliet as an insult.
Pottle-deep
/ˈpɒt(ə)ldiːp/“Very drunk”
Slang for someone who’s had one too many. A 'pottle' was a half-gallon measure for ale. Used in Othello.
Malkin
/ˈmɔːkɪn/“A slovenly woman”
An insult for an untidy or lower-class woman. Appears in Coriolanus.
Why Shakespeare’s slang still matters
These words weren’t just for comic effect – they paint a vivid picture of Elizabethan social hierarchies, humour, and even fashion. If you enjoyed this, you might like our guide on Shakespearean ways to say 'goodbye' or how clothing was described in his plays.
Next time you read Shakespeare, listen for these terms – they’re often hiding in plain sight, waiting to add colour (or an insult) to the scene.
