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WSJ Books / Hitchings
Shakespeare's Other Inheritances
The playwright did not only give us the language of love and power. He also gave us the language of money, debt and broken promises.
Henry Hitchings · WSJ Books · Bookshelf · April 23, 2026
Money words, in his hand
Hitchings's review surveys three new books on Shakespeare's contributions to the working vocabulary of English. The most interesting of the three traces how words like collateral, premium, indemnity, dividend and creditor entered everyday usage through the plays — not because Shakespeare invented them, but because he was the first to use them in dialogue meant for ordinary people.
Why we are sharing this
The financial advice industry is, more than anything else, a vocabulary problem. The single biggest reason clients freeze on a decision is that the words feel foreign. Hitchings's reminder that the language of money was once new to everyone is a useful one for advisors and clients alike.
What This Means For Your Book
Send to clients who like books and history — another non-portfolio touchpoint. Pair with our Education Hub.
Vocabulary, not numbers, is what scares most clients into inaction.
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