"Shuffle off this mortal COIL" (Shakespeare)

Posted by Gary on November 03, 2003

In Reply to: "Shuffle off this mortal COIL" (Shakespeare) posted by Bruce on November 02, 2003

: I believe this word "Coil" could be a misheard misnomer.
: The correct phrase might be "mortal CAUL" which one indeed "shuffles off". The caul was given great importance in the past.
:

No, it is certainly not misheard. Shakespeare used the word coil numerous times in his plays. It has been in the language since at least 1570 and means fuss or disturbance.