Elementary my dear Watson


What's the meaning of the phrase 'Elementary my dear Watson'?

The supposed explanation that Sherlock Holmes gave to his assistant, Dr. Watson, when explaining deductions he had made.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Elementary my dear Watson'?

In fact the line doesn’t appear in the Conan Doyle books, only later in Sherlock Holmes’ films.

He does come rather close at a few of points. Holmes says “Elementary” in ‘The Crooked Man’, and “It was very superficial, my dear Watson, I assure you” in ‘The Cardboard Box’. He also says “Exactly, my dear Watson, in three different stories.

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

Trend of elementary my dear watson in printed material over time

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
Elementary my dear Watson

Phrases & Meanings

A-Z

Categories

How did we do?

Have you spotted something that needs updated on this page? We review all feedback we receive to ensure that we provide the most accurate and up to date information on phrases.