What is "Gill-Over-The-Ground"? Uncovering Shakespeare's Unusual Term

"Gill-over-the-ground" is a phrase that appears in the works of William Shakespeare, including his play "A Midsummer Night's Dream." It is not a commonly used term today, and its meaning is somewhat ambiguous. However, based on the context in which it appears in Shakespeare's plays, it seems to refer to a type of groundcover or low-growing plant that spreads over the ground.

One possible interpretation of "gill-over-the-ground" is that it refers to a type of creeping plant that covers the ground with its stems and leaves, much like a gill covers the body of a fish. This interpretation is supported by the fact that the phrase appears in a scene where the character Puck is describing the effects of a magic potion on the forest:

"I'll gill the gills over the ground / With puffer-puffed powder, I'll make them rush / As if they were rushing to their deaths." (Act 3, Scene 2)

In this context, "gill-over-the-ground" may be used to describe the way the potion causes the plants to grow and spread rapidly, covering the ground with a thick layer of foliage.

It's worth noting that "gill-over-the-ground" is not a widely recognized term today, and it is not found in modern botanical or horticultural literature. It is likely that Shakespeare invented the phrase for the purposes of his play, and it may be a unique feature of his writing.