meaning

[michelledean]

world is your oyster

[Ewood27]

Take a look at http://members.aol.com/MorelandC/HaveOrigins.htm and scroll down the list on the left to the group "Phrases With Obscure Definitions" and to "W" in that group.

[michelledean]

THis was excellent! Kind thanks

[geofbob]

This saying first appeared in Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor where Pisol, having been refused a loan of money by Falstaff, responds "Why, then the world's mine oyster, which I with sword will open...". This quotation also clarifies the meaning of the saying - an enterprising person can open up the world like an oyster, possibly finding a pearl inside.