Main content

Shakespeare v Rappers

Who has the biggest vocabulary - the Bard or today’s rap stars? Tim Harford takes a look at the numbers with James Fletcher.

It is a 'fact' beloved of English teachers around the world that Shakespeare, the greatest playwright writing in English, also had the greatest vocabulary. But research published earlier this year suggests English teachers might have to look elsewhere to establish the superiority of the Bard - apparently his vocabulary lags behind the best and most famous rappers of the last decades. Is this comparison fair, and if so, does it diminish Shakespeare's lustre?

(Photo: Run DMC. Credit: Getty Images)

Available now

10 minutes

Last on

Mon 15 Sep 201408:50GMT
BBC World Service Online

More episodes

Previous

To Ice or Not to Ice?

Next

The UK vs Mississippi

See all episodes from More or Less

Broadcasts

  • Fri 12 Sep 201418:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online
  • Sun 14 Sep 201422:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online
  • Mon 15 Sep 201401:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online
  • Mon 15 Sep 201408:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online

Featured in...

Download this programme

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes.