[Lexicog] Coinages and brevity (was: Shakespeare's contribution)

[Fritz Goerling]

Shalom, Hayim,

 

You said:

Your question is very interesting one and probably of generic nature. I mean
that similar questions can be asked about lexical and phraseology
contribution 
to any language. For example the less known for Western linguists Russian
language received an enormous contribution at the end of the 18th century
and the first part of 19th century not only from German and French languages
(lexical borrowing, but also from  particular writers. Probably  Nikolai
Karamzin (1766-1826), a historian and a writer, contributed  a greatest
number  of Russian  neologisms  and coinages, while Denis Fonvizin (von
Wisien, 1744-1792) and especially A.S. Griboedov (1795-1829) contributed a
greatest number of locutions, phrases, etc. I would say that in the case of
the last two the reason was that they had sharp mind (i.e. they were
quick-witted people) and their formulations were les mots d'esprit
(witticisms). Their wittici! sms came to Russian language mostly from the
comedies.

 

(FG)

Witticisms are usually brief, and as such (together with their semantic
punch) tend to be remembered. As the great Bard said: “Brevity is the soul
of wit.” Or as we say in German: “In der Kürze liegt die Würze” = in brevity
lies spice

 

Do you have a saying like that in Hebrew?

 

Le chaim,

 

Fritz








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