20 common phrases invented by Shakespeare

On St George's Day 451 years ago, William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire - 399 years ago today, the bard died in his hometown, at the age of 52.

To celebrate the birthday of the greatest Midlander ever to have lived, here are a selection of 50 phrases which you might be surprised to find were first coined by Shakespeare.

"Knock, knock. Who's there?" - Macbeth

"For goodness' sake!"- Henry VIII

"Wear my heart upon my sleeve"- Othello

"In my heart of hearts"- Hamlet

"Send him packing"- Henry IV

"Method to his madness"- Hamlet

"As dead as a doornail"- Henry VI

"The world's mine oyster"- The Merry Wives of Windsor

"Vanish into thin air"- Othello

"A wild goose chase"- Romeo & Juliet

"In a pickle"- The Tempest

"A heart of gold"- Henry V

"Neither here nor there"- Othello

"Break the ice"- The Taming of the Shrew

"A laughing stock"- The Merry Wives of Windsor

"Mum's the word"- Henry VI

"All that glitters is not gold"- The Merchant of Venice

"Fair play"- The Tempest

"Not slept one wink"- Cymbeline

"Give the devil his due"- Henry IV