From time-to-time words are coined based on a person’s name.
That person might be an author—giving us the word ‘Dickensian’—or they might be a politician—giving us the much newer word ‘Trumpian.’
But what is rather rare, is to have such a word based not on a real person, but on a fictional character.
It has, however, happened in the case of the word ‘Holmesian.’
This is recorded from 1929 with the following meaning: ‘Of, pertaining to, or in the manner of Sherlock Holmes’ (Oxford English Dictionary).
So, what qualifies this fictional character (unlike most others) to become a word in the dictionary?
The answer seems to be that Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle succeeded in creating such a distinctive character in Holmes that there was no other way to label his memorable characteristics except by using his name.
Have you ever read any of Conan-Doyle’s original stories?
He wrote 56 short stories and four short novels about the great detective.
I started reading them when I was about 10-years old, and I still go back and re-read them from time to time up to this day.
If you’ve never done so, go down to your local library, borrow a Conan Doyle book and give them a try.
But even if we have never read the original stories, we have all seen Holmes on TV or in the movies.
A survey conducted a few years ago showed that Sherlock Holmes is the most portrayed fictional character ever in the history of movies and TV.
Hence, he has given us this word.
And as well as the word ‘Holmesian’ he has given us the word ‘Sherlockian’—recorded from 1959 (with the same meaning as ‘Holmesian’) and the word ‘Sherlockiana’ which the Oxford says means: ‘Things connected with Sherlock Holmes, writings about Sherlock Holmes.’
One fictional character with no fewer than three words coined about him and recorded in the dictionary!
Quite an achievement!
New stories continue to be written about Holmes by other authors since the passing of Conan Doyle back in 1930.
And I am one of them.
My newest book is called Sherlock Holmes: 5-Minute Mysteries.
It contains 50 short stories I have written about the great detective.
It is available from Amazon—to have a look at it, just go to Amazon and type Sherlock Holmes: 5-Minute Mysteries and my name in the search panel.
I originally wrote the stories for one of my radio shows (I would read one story each Friday night on the show—and challenge the listeners to solve the puzzle before I gave them the solution).
I think it is a fun book, so I hope you will check it out.
Tonight I will join John Stanley on 2GB, 4BC, 2CC and the Nine Radio Network for 'The Word Clinic' -- right after the 10pm news.
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MEDIA...
BY THE WAY...
The latest edition of Quadrant magazine is now in the newsagents -- including my article on 'Recognizing Racism".
The May-June issue of Australian Geographic is out now (with the tree frog on the cover) -- inside are my two small columns on 'Placenames' and 'Ozwords'.
If you'd like to see my A-Z list of Aussie slang, you'll find it here in the Australian Geographic website -- A-Z list of Aussie slang. Here’s the link: The A-Z of Aussie slang - Australian Geographic
The liveliest part of this website is usually the Q and A page -- be sure to check it out from time to time.
BOOKS:
* My latest book is Sherlock Holmes: 5-Minute Mysteries -- containing 50 new stories I have written about the great detective. You can find it on Amazon. Just go to Amazon and type in Sherlock Holmes: 5-Minute Mysteries in the search panel. Or use this link: Amazon.com.au : Sherlock Holmes 5-Minute Mysteries
* My book "Defending the Gospel" is now second, fully revised, edition. You can find it here: Defending the Gospel – matthiasmedia.com.au
* If you're looking for my recent book "Flash Jim" you'll find it here -- Flash Jim, The astonis
hing story of the convict fraudster who wrote Australia's first dictionary by Kel Richards | 9781460759769 | Booktopia
* You can find all Kel's books currently in print here -- Booktopia Search Results for 'kel richards'. We sell books, hardback, paperback, audio, CDs.
* And also here -- Amazon.com.au : Kel Richards
* And you'll find more here -- Search: 4 results found for "Kel Richards" – matthiasmedia.com.au
* Many of Kel's out of print books can be found at ABE Books -- Kel Richards - AbeBooks explaining words explain the term
