What Does Elementary My Dear Watson Mean?

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What Does Elementary My Dear Watson Mean?

3 Answers

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Answer 1

It's a patronising way of saying that something is very obvious. It's one of those 'famous sayings' that was never actually said, like 'Beam me up, Scotty'. In the Sherlock Holmes detective novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Holmes has a slightly slower-witted companion called Dr Watson, who is frequently amazed by Holmes deductive abilities. The nearest thing in any of the novels to that famous misquote is "'Remarkable', said I. 'Elementary', said he."

There is also the related joke about Holmes and Watson returning home to find the front door has been painted yellow. Watson cries 'The door's been painted yellow!', to which Holmes replies 'Lemon entry, my dear Watson!'

Answer 2

It is a meaning that means the simplest of meanings. You know what I mean? When Holmes says this to Watson, his meaning is this: That what ever is being talked about is very obvious

Answer 3

The very famous phrase is used by Sherlock Holmes the world renowned detective. Watson is his Assistant and Sherlock Holmes used this phrase whenever explaining the deductions he had made to his Assistant Watson.

This phrase became very famous and is often used. The phase first appeared in Arthur Cannon Doyle's books and later in the Sherlock Holmes movies.

The phrase was first used by P G Wodehouse in 1915.