A Shakespeare Riddle

Here’s a riddle to commemorate 23rd April as William Shakespeare’s death-day.

Q: What have Windsor, The London Underground, Stratford and Appella have in common?

A: Appella’s name Oyster for London Underground’s new ticketing system opened in 2003 was conceived and promoted internally on the basis of its reference to the Shakespearean phrase: ‘The world’s my oyster’ which comes from the comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor Act II, Scene ii, line 3. It is from a passage where Falstaff refuses to lend Pistol any money. Pistol responds, ‘ Why, then the world’s mine oyster, which I with sword will open.’