{"id":9914,"date":"2022-10-06T19:15:10","date_gmt":"2022-10-06T19:15:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=9914"},"modified":"2022-10-06T19:15:10","modified_gmt":"2022-10-06T19:15:10","slug":"elementary-my-dear-watson-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/elementary-my-dear-watson-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Elementary My Dear Watson \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are a lot of things that may be hard to understand, the science behind space flight for example. At the same time, there are plenty of things that are so easy to understand, that even a child can deduce its meaning. If you ever heard of the saying \u201celementary my dear Watson\u201d, this is exactly what it meant. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

When someone says elementary my dear Watson, it means that the solution to a problem is easily found. It also means that the topic of conversation is simple and very easy for most people to understand. In terms of solving problems or conflicts, elementary my dear Watson means or infers that the answer is easily found. It can also mean being straightforward or without complexity.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The phrase is most often used in a humorous fashion to explain just how easy an answer is to find, or will be to solve. In limited instances, it is used in a serious fashion to explain the ease at which a solution can be found. For the most part, when elementary my dear Watson is used, it is in reference to the books, characters, or Sherlock Holmes show.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cWhen it comes to learning the proper way to do algebra, the method is elementary my dear Watson\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith so many clues left behind at the crime scene, catching him was elementary my dear Watson\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cFinding the way to the casino was elementary my dear Watson, all you had to do was follow the lights\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cLearning to play the piano is elementary my dear Watson, just pick a note and let your fingers do the rest\u201d.<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

Most people think of Sherlock Holmes when they hear the phrase elementary my dear Watson. However, though Sir Arthur Conan Doyle crafted many a memorable story with the English detective, he didn\u2019t pen the phrase. It is a common misconception that he utters this phrase to his companion, Dr. Watson. However, he does state variations of the phrase over several books.<\/p>\n

Due to the massive amount of reader use, when a live-action movie was made, the main character, Sherlock Holmes, was given the line elementary my dear Watson. Once the movie went live, fans all over the world picked up the phrase elementary my dear Watson. In 1910, there was a news story that ran in The Washington Herald that had the phrase \u201celementary my dear Watson\u201d which further gave credence to the validity of the quotation.<\/p>\n