# slings and arrows

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌslɪŋz‿n̩ ˈæɹəʊz/

## Definitions
1. Hardships or adverse circumstances.
2. Harsh criticism or personal attacks.

## Etymology
Coined by the English playwright William Shakespeare (baptized 1564; died 1616) in his play Hamlet (written 1599–1601; first published 1604 in the second quarto), referring to fortune attacking a person, as if using slingshots and arrows: see the quotation.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/slings-and-arrows