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Here is one of my favorite words when it comes to crime novels and mystery stories. Even though I know the meaning of the word, when I found it in “The Case of the Bolshevik!” in The Complete Casebook of Herlock Sholmes, I couldn’t resist adding it to my blog’s dictionary.
Nefarious – extremely wicked or villainous
Usage: “I am perfectly aware that he has had nefarious designs upon the eminent statesmen who meet in conference today.”
Here is a word that Charles Hamilton uses frequently in The Complete Casebook of Herlock Sholmes. The definition makes it clear why. The exploits of Herlock Sholmes always require an explanation.
Elucidate – to make clear by explaining
Usage:
“I gazed silently at Herlock Sholmes. Well, as I knew his extraordinary powers, it appeared to me that this problem was beyond elucidation.” (“The Case of the Musician”)
“The sudden and startling death of Mr Swizzle caused a considerable sensation, and I was not surprised when my amazing friend Mr Herlock Sholmes was called in to aid in elucidating the mystery.” (“The Mystery of the Taxi-Cab”)
“A few questions to Mr Voxbuster elucidated the whole mystery.” (“The Mystery of the Garden Suburb”)
“”Pass me the looking-glass.”
“What are you going to do with the looking-glass, Sholmes?” I asked, in surprise.
“Reflection is necessary before we act in this case, Jotson.”
Herlock Sholmes and Dr Jotson, “The Mysterious Bottle”, The Complete Casebook of Herlock Sholmes, Charles Hamilton, circa 1920
“There are, perhaps, some suspicious characters in the same block of buildings?”
“Two,” said Sholmes. “The flat above is tenanted by a member of Parliament, and the flat below by a house-agent.”
Dr Jotson and Herlock Sholmes, “The Case of the Musician”, The Complete Casebook of Herlock Sholmes, circa 1920
“Leave the case in my hands,” drawled Herlock Sholmes. “Unless I am mistaken, which Jotson here will tell you is impossible, the taxi-driver will soon be found.”
Herlock Sholmes, “The Mystery of the Taxi-Cab”, The complete Casebook of Herlock Sholmes, circa 1920
Here is a word from “The Mystery of the Taxi-Cab” found in The Complete Casebook of Herlock Sholmes. I have read this word before, but never looked it up to be certain what was meant by it.
Aberrations – a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome
Usage: “Accustomed as I was to the remarkable mental aberrations of my amazing friend, I could not help wondering at the methods he employed in this mysterious case.”
Here is an odd word that isn’t a huge part of my vocabulary. (Sorry, I don’t listen to music by Led Zeppelin.) So, when I found it in The Complete Casebook of Herlock Sholmes, I had to look it up.
Zeppelin – a rigid airship, cigar-shaped, and supported by internal gas cells
Here is an article in the Encyclopedia Brittanica. One of the most famous zeppelins was the Hindenburg. Apparently, there is a difference between a zeppelin and a blimp.
Usage: Herlock Sholmes has been approached by an artist who is describing his missing work of art. “I am the leader of the Neo-Sculptors, my methods are ultra-modern. I used a pick-axe for my work – the results are astonishing. This statue – this masterpiece – was a miracle of art. I intended, at first to call it ‘The Riven Oak’; later I thought that ‘The Fallen Zeppelin’ would be a better title; but I finally decide upon ‘Venus’.”
Sholmes nodded.
“I have seen your works, Mr Smudgett. If you refer to them as pictures, I should say you are undoubtedly the victim of hallucination.”
“You have seen them? Have you ever seen, Mr Sholmes, in any of my paintings anything that resembles anything in the earth, or the sky, or the waters under the earth?”
“Never!”
“Exactly!” Mr Smudgett wiped his heated brow. “It is to that, Mr Sholmes, that I owe my reputation. You are aware, of course, that I stand at the top of the tree – that I am universally acknowledged to be the chief of the Later-Super-Post-Impressionist School.”
“The Mystery of the Studio”, The Complete Casebook of Herlock Sholmes, Charles Hamilton, circa 1920
Here is another fun word from The Complete Casebook of Herlock Sholmes. “The Case of the Airman’s Medal” is solved and Sholmes and Jotson are returning to their rooms in Shaker Street. As Sholmes reiterates how he tracked down the missing medal, Jotson cries, “Marvelous!” Sholmes’ reply includes this word.
Illimitable – without limits or an end
Usage: “Not at all!” said Sholmes as we re-entered his room. “To a man of my illimitable deductive powers such work is child’s play!”
Here is an interesting word that I found In “The Case of the Airman’s Medal” from The Complete Casebook of Herlock Sholmes. I should have known what it meant by the context, but I was completely puzzled ’til I looked it up.
Masticate – chew (food)
Usage: “You imagine I have bitten off more than I can conveniently masticate.”
An interesting side note: This is the only story listed for 1919 in The Complete Casebook. I wonder if Mr Hamilton took a break from writing about Sholmes just like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle did with Holmes.
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