Quotation record · reviewed 2026-08-09
Circulates under William Shakespeare
Editorial status
The familiar wording changes Shakespeare's ‘word’ to ‘name’ and ‘would smell’ to ‘smells’. The source is Romeo and Juliet, act 2, scene 2.
That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet.
Earliest traceable appearance in this record: 1597, Romeo and Juliet, act 2, scene 2.
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