“A Medical Board – so called because it is composed of bored medicos.”
Herlock Sholmes, “The Case of the Corn-Plaster”, The Complete Casebook of Herlock Shomles, Charles Hamilton, circa 1920
Tag: Charles Hamilton (Page 3 of 5)
When I first came across this word, I mentally pronounced it as “pur-lee-us” and had no idea what it could mean. Of course I had to look it up, because that’s what we should do when we don’t know what a word means. Anyway, I looked it up so you didn’t have to. And when I saw the pronunciation, I realized I have heard this word before and kind of already knew it.
Purlieus – (pronounced pur-lyoo) neighborhood, or a place frequented by a person
Usage: “Inspector, I am about to look for the gunpowder plotter,” went on Herlock Sholmes. “Not, however, in the purlieus of crime – not in the haunts of anarchists.”
Of course, if you want to know where Sholmes went to look for the gunpowder plotter, you will have to read the story “The Case of the Gunpowder Plot” in The Complete Casebook of Herlock Sholmes.
I am only halfway through The Complete Casebook of Herlock Sholmes, but you would not believe how many times Sholmes has eaten poor Jotson’s breakfast. And every time is more hilarious than the last. Here is what happened in “The Trunk Mystery”:
“My dear Jotson, we must start at once,” said Herlock Sholmes, as I came down one morning into our sitting-room at Shaker Street.
I glanced towards the breakfast-table.
“My dear Sholmes, I have not yet – “
“We have to call upon Colonel Collywobble without the delay of a moment,” explained Sholmes. “But you know my efficient methods, Jotson. In order to save time I have eaten your breakfast, as well as my own. There is, therefore, nothing to delay us. Come!”
Herlock Sholmes and Dr Jotson, “The Trunk Mystery”, The Complete Casebook of herlock Sholmes, circa 1920
“Indeed, at one time I suspected [Sholmes had] appendicitis, and offered to remove his appendix; of course, without charging him any fee. Sholmes declined the offer, rather hastily I thought. Perhaps seeing my disappointment, he offered to allow me to remove the appendix from any volume in his bookcase. I explained that this was quite a different matter.”
Dr Jotson, “The disappearance of Dr Jotson”, The Complete Casebook of Herlock Sholmes, circa 1920
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.”
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