23 February 2014

You have to be trusted by the people that you lie to

I found this.

Sherlock is not allowed to use the first expression.

Nor is anyone to call me the one which refers to policemen.

I read something about World War One slang which made it into common use (much of it still in common use, too) and one which I wish had stuck is 'zeppelins in the clouds' meaning bangers and mash. Brilliant.

I do like language, especially when it's all the same language, and dialect bits, or just changes from historical splits - like English and American/Canadian/Australian etc. But even more when it's just English dialect. Although it was the source of a lot of teasing when I first moved to London.


We've said goodbye to Mycroft once more. I swear that the dogs have as much stuff as he does. And we couldn't find Phobos' favourite chew toy. It's a big...like a fake tyre, on a rope. He loves it. Deimos didn't help by parading about with the huge red bone he likes in his mouth. All smug and 'I'm ready to go, what's the hold up?'

John did provide a perfect moment when he stood in the middle of the room, Phobos looking up at him, all wide eyed, and John looked at him and said "Well where did you see it last?" Exactly like he does with Sherlock...

Anyway, found in the kitchen cupboard. Don't ask me how it got there.

So, yes, Mycroft's gone back. And dropped the bombshell that he's considering other 6th Forms, not just Harrow, for next year...

 We're back home. We've been fed. I'm putting the final touches to my seminar, which I'm delivering on Tuesday...now, leave early Tuesday morning, stay over until Weds... or leave Monday night, back Weds....which one?

John is checking Sherlock's homework, piece by piece, to check he hasn't only done the ones he wants to...although it's a bit late now!

And tomorrow, everyone will be back to their respective workplaces, or in John's case, he'll get his workplace back and undoubtedly try to rebuild it, after a week of boys and dogs and chaos.




130 comments:

Small Hobbit said...

I like "tight as a boiled owl", although it does conjure up an interesting image.

Greg Lestrade said...

I do wonder what owls, newts, rats etc. did to deserve to be used as examples of drunkeness!

REReader said...

I knew "beer and skittles" and "inexpressibles," but the rest were new to me...

John H. D. Watson said...

I'm going to start saying dash my wig at every opportunity.

John H. D. Watson said...

...And when I asked where Phobos had seen it last, I more than half expected him to show me.

Greg Lestrade said...

I know you did! I'm amazed he did cave to your Nanny Glare!

As long as you don't start with the tea one, I think we're safe...

Now, is Sherlock all signed off?

Sherlock said...

I've done it aaaalllll like I said.

Joolz said...

I love the way different phrases come in and out of fashion too. I've often wondered about the drunken animal ones as well - I want to see who's ever found proof of these things. ;)

I think if you have company for your time at the seminar then make the most of it, if you're going to be on your tod then the least time away is surely the best. I'm sure Sherlock and John would certainly think so, you know you'll be missed otherwise. :)

John H. D. Watson said...

He has indeed done it all. Dash my wig.

Greg Lestrade said...

Have we got any neck oil? It'll give me a gigglemug :)

Joolz - I will undoubtedly know people there. I imagine Darren will be going, it being on his patch. I guess I should check the weather.

Greg Lestrade said...

I am going to have to chase a stubborn little schoolboy up to bed...

Joolz said...

I was thinking of more Hot Doc shaped company ;) (if Mrs H were at all amenable, but maybe you'd rather not leave Sherlock overnight anyway).

Greg Lestrade said...

Ah...

Anonymous said...

I've heard (well, on television or in movies) and read "tater-trap" (spelt with the "e" used on this side of the Atlantic. In the 20th century. Usually assigned to uneducated rural characters.

fA

Anonymous said...

I don't remember Lestrade's Conference Tales perfectly, but has Darren ever met John? Or did he just have the pleasure of meeting Murray on his fiance-vetting/stag party combo visit? If the latter, he really needs a better perspective on Dr. Lestrade Watson, IMO. Not that it's any of my business, obviously.

fA

Anonymous said...

Does mutton-shunter refer to the policeman's diet, or to his fabulous facial hair?

Ella

Anonymous said...

Ella,
I'm betting that mutton is slang for some sort of unsavory person that the policeman in some way 'moves along,' or shunts from one location to another.

I also bet that my guess, above is too innocent, and that shunt has some other meaning as well, probably violent or sexual. Those Victorians - not always gentlemen and ladies.

fA

pandabob said...

Have fun back at school Sherlock :-)

Good luck with getting the house back in order John ;-)

Small Hobbit said...

Anonybob, I fail to understand this "house back in order" concept. I don't have any offspring still at home and I still don't have an ordered house. Am I missing something - maybe a nanny to do it for me?

Greg Lestrade said...

FA - John did come to Manchester with me once..I think they met? Not sure. Anyway, still haven't decided what to do...

Anonymous said...

SH - my experience with an orderly house is the same as yours! Every day is full of so many things! Tidying up is never at the top of the list.

L. - I just thought it might be misleading if anyone's picture of John was too heavily influenced by the stories of a "festive" Murray. ;-)

Some of you are half through it, but have a good day, all
fA

Greg Lestrade said...

Oh don't worry. Darren knows exactly how amazing John is.

Anonymous said...

Darren knows exactly how amazing John is.

Aaawwww.

fA

Anon Without A Name said...

ISTR stories of Sherlock quizzing Darren at some point (which would imply that he and John have met), but I mat be misremembering.

SH - I've never had kids and never had an ordered house...

Have a safe journey, Lestrade, whether today or tomorrow.

John - did you have a peaceful day?

REReader said...

I have a feeling that confessing to being a compulsively tidier will not win me friends nor influence people.... ;)

Hope everyone is having a good day!

Kestrel337 said...

RR, it's just a different way of being is all. Currently, my excuse is that I have children. But then I look around and see...craft supplies. All over the house.

So maybe I need to fall back on the 'creative people are seldom tidy' excuse. The children's activities are really the problem; I spend as much time in the van as I do in the home!

Sherlock said...

I want to go too it would be educational!

Greg Lestrade said...

It would, but you're not. school will be educational too.

I still don't know whether to go tonight or tomorrow....advantage of tomorrow, staying the night with John. Disadvantage - Potentially being knackered tomorrow, then having to go out tomorrow night too...

Advantage of tonight... get there, sleep, be awake tomorrow...disadvantage, don't get to spend the night with John.

Anonymous said...

Stall a few more hours & it'll be too late to go tonight. ;-)

Usually I make decisions mostly with my head (go tonight). Usually that works best. Just made a big one yesterday out of my feelings/heart (go tomorrow) and I feel better than I have in months.

For what it's worth.

fA

Greg Lestrade said...

....yeah, I think I'm going in the morning :)

Anonymous said...

:-)

REReader said...

How long a trip is it and how early would you have to be awake if you wait 'til morning? (I am personally not very functional the whole day if I have to wake up at 3:00 or 4:00, which I've had to do for international flights.)

I am currently working on my tax materials, and it's all very well for me to tell myself that everything is in the right folder (mostly true) but it's all jumbled up in the right folder, which is Not Helpful. (Actually, my big problem today is medical bills for surgeries that I had in one year and paid for in another, due to big insurance mess-ups. ARGH! It NEVER ENDS!)

REReader said...

(And now I see I responded too late. Ignore, sorry!)

Greg Lestrade said...

I'll be up about...4? Half three? And I'll try and kip between end of day and the inevitable night out...

REReader said...

I'll be up about...4? Half three?

O_O

Greg Lestrade said...

It doesn't really bother me.

It might very well bother John...

Greg Lestrade said...

It has definitely bothered Sherlock - but he wouldn't have seen me tomorrow morning either way, so not entirely sure what his complaint was! Well...mainly not being allowed to come.

Unknown said...

I'm looking at the diagram for #4 and... not sure I really want to know what it's about... looks kinda scary.
S

Greg Lestrade said...

I assumed it was some sort of...early vasectomy? Not something I've ever troubled myself thinking about ;)

Greg Lestrade said...

right, I'm packed up, ready for the off tomorrow morning, so shall bid you all goodnight.

Anonymous said...

Sleep well, Lestrade, and safe journey tomorrow.

Ella

Anonymous said...

Wishing you safe on the road.
And that Sherlock will be kind to you, John, in that first hour or so up.

fA

REReader said...

Good morning and travel safe, L--and I hope your talk goes smoothly.

And good morning to both of you, too, Sherlock and John, in a few hours (I hope it's in a few hours, anyway!).

pandabob said...

Good luck with the trip and with the seminar Greg :-)

How's the morning going Sherlock? Have fun at school later :-)

Joolz said...

Good luck today, Greg, I'm sure you will be inspiring as always. Don't let Darren get you too drunk & disorderly tonight. ;)

Were you up with Greg leaving as well as doing the early call with Sherlock, John, if so I hope you can catch up later or you'll be knackered. ;)

Have a good day everyone. :)

Greg Lestrade said...

Thanks all. Arrived safe. Sherlock got up this morning! I had to put him in with John...so hopefully the little wriggling furnace didn't keep John awake too much.

Small Hobbit said...

Best wishes with the seminar, L.

It's a grey day here, so wishing you all a stress-free (or as near as possible) day.

Greg Lestrade said...

Thrown straight into major case reviews - what we can learn from them. A couple of them are mine. Pressure!

Anonymous said...

Are they like what I see doctors go through here, where they have to justify all their decisions, or are they anonymoused and more used as examples to discuss/evaluate?

Ella

Greg Lestrade said...

They're not too brutal. It's just looking at what resources were used, how the cases differ, cost, all of that. No finger pointing! But if officers are here who worked on them, you can justify decisions etc.

Darren said...

Hello everyone. So the old man's gone to catch up on his beauty sleep. And boy does he need it. Later we'll all be off out for a curry. John, I'll try and keep him in one piece. If he does the same to me. He was all sad earlier about leaving you on your whatever he called it - sixmonthiversary. Yesterday, wasn't it? Congratulations, anyway!

And hello Sherlock. He said you'd want to say hello.

Greg Lestrade said...

I'm awake Iim not at all ready for curry

Anon Without A Name said...

Hi Darren, good to hear from you again. How's things? How's the family? And just how hot a curry do you think Lestrade's going to manage tonight? (My money's on a korma)

John, Lestrade - I didn't realise it was you sixmonthiversary yesterday - how time flies! Congratulations :-)

REReader said...

Congratulations on six months of marriage, gentlemen!

Darren said...

He's on a murgh makhani, and tried some of my dupiaza and called me a bastard! But he did say at least it was edible, not like the ones John likes. I salute you, John, for getting him to even try things with a nice warm kick.

I'm all good thanks AWAN, family are good too, although the wife gave me dire warnings about staying out late and rolling in drunk. I'll be sharing Greg's bed if he doesn't let me get home at a decent hour.

John H. D. Watson said...

They're hardly ever as bad as he thinks they're going to be. I mean, mine are, but not normal ones.

He was all sad earlier about leaving you on your whatever he called it - sixmonthiversary. Yesterday, wasn't it? Congratulations, anyway!

Thanks! Sherlock says hello. He's putting back together a clock he entirely disassembled when I turned my back for three minutes.

Darren said...

AH, shit I didn't mean it like that! I won't be sharing his bed, sorry, he's told me I have to assure you all his virtue is safe with me.

Greg Lestrade said...

which clock? the kitchen one? Did he climb on the worktop again? And hello, husband :)

John H. D. Watson said...

Darren - ha! I know, it's all right. Don't worry.

L - Yeah, the kitchen one, and no. He said you said not to do that...so he stacked a box on a chair instead. Hello. :) Nice curry?

REReader said...

He's putting back together a clock he entirely disassembled when I turned my back for three minutes.

When my father was about Mycroft's age, he took apart ALL the locks on the dorm rooms at school and reassembled them. He got in trouble because they had been disabled, and he made them all work again.

Greg Lestrade said...

curry yes. curry and beer, which Daz owes me for making me try his.

I did tell him. especially with shoes, or to get foods. Hope he didn't wake you to early. i mean, wake you again.

John H. D. Watson said...

I'll be up early anyway - working tomorrow and I start at six instead of seven. Why do mornings exist? I don't think it's fair.

Greg Lestrade said...

yeah tell me about it I saw this morning being born from night, living out its life, and becoming day, all on the motorway. Was he a roll this morning?

Darren has boughtm e another cobra! There is a god.

John H. D. Watson said...

I think they should be canceled, or at least postponed until 9am. He wasn't too bad this morning. A little grumpy, but we were grumpy together.

Greg Lestrade said...

good i mean not the grumpy, but good he wasn't too bad. my thing went well. Apart from crying.

John H. D. Watson said...

Who cried? You? Everyone?

Greg Lestrade said...

not me, just a few people. I didn't know what to say

John H. D. Watson said...

Nothing to say, probably. I mean...I can see why they did. It's horrible.

I'm glad it went well.

Greg Lestrade said...

yeah. I didn't say anything. Except I understood they were harrowing cases.

He go to bed okay too? Didn't even want a phonecall from me? Is he growing up or something :(

John H. D. Watson said...

No, he fell asleep on the sofa and he's still here. I'm wondering if I can get him upstairs without waking him.

Darren said...

Greg just showed me that and hasn't stopped laughing yet, John. I'm thinking you might be optimistic?

John H. D. Watson said...

...Possibly.

Greg Lestrade said...

he might be tired enough. might be. I would be if I was him

John H. D. Watson said...

We'll find out shortly.

Greg Lestrade said...

Good Luck! Can you borrow one of those bomb disposal robots and get it to carry him? you could just have the remote

John H. D. Watson said...

That would've been more effective.

Greg Lestrade said...

hope he's not too grumpy. I'll be back tomorrow night, hopefully by his bedtime.

Just finishing my pint then calking it a night here

John H. D. Watson said...

Call me when you get back to your room?

Greg Lestrade said...

of course

John H. D. Watson said...

Thanks. Love you.

Greg Lestrade said...

I love you too.

Darren said...

I have seen him safely to the door of the hotel, John. You know, you really are good for him. He's a changed man. Even in just these past few years, he's a lot more like his old self. I only hope he's half as good for you.

John H. D. Watson said...

I'm glad. He's...just wonderful. I don't know where I'd be without him, I really don't.

Greg Lestrade said...

Mrs H would've set you up with the next suitor on her list!

John H. D. Watson said...

No thanks. Had to be you.

Anonymous said...

There are days being a grownup isn't so bad. The young'uns just wouldn't believe how happy one can be - AND be tucked up in bed before midnight after a night out.

fA

Greg Lestrade said...

Ah well if you see it like that, Mrs H would've pursued me and captured me for you, using ever more elaborate schemes until we realised our true love. Or something like that ;)

Miss you.

John H. D. Watson said...

Miss you too.

Greg Lestrade said...

I must sleep, or nothing will lodge in my brain tomorrow.

Give me a call in the morning? First seminar starts at 9, so anytime before then I'll be about. Hope you don't get any call outs at a time not authorised by his lord and majesty, S. Holmes.

John H. D. Watson said...

Yeah, I will. Sleep well, love.

Greg Lestrade said...

you too. Enjoy snoring and spreading out over the whole bed like a big octopus :) don't kick spider out of the bed though or Sherlock will tell you off.

Joolz said...

Good luck with your call outs, John, hope they don't run you ragged.

Good luck with your conference, Greg, hope you're awake enough to absorb it.

Be good for Mrs H, Sherlock. After we'd had a babysitter our parents used to hide a little pack of sweets in our room to hunt for next morning. I bet you'd be able to find anything just from standing in the doorway & observing.

Have a good day everyone. :)

Greg Lestrade said...

Coffee break time, thankfully. Hope your morning is okay, Danger, nothing too traumatic.

Unknown said...

OK nobody else has followed up on this so I guess I have to:
"Darren has boughtm e another cobra! There is a god."
I'm guessing that for some reason your phone changed "coffee" to "cobra" but still, the mental image is.... way out there. :D
hope it's all going well lads,
S

Anonymous said...

S.- I think there's a beer named Cobra. That's what I assumed was on offer..

Hope it's a good day, all. We're not yet at the midpoint, here, but my entire week (month? year? life? - getting giddy, maybe) is looking up and wish I could share the good energy.

(I'm pulling out of a long term endeavor that's been a burden for a while. I'm very stubborn, especially about just getting through a project once it's underway, and I've never bailed on anything this big before. It feels AMAZING.)

fA

Greg Lestrade said...

Yes, Cobra is a sort of beer.

I'm on my way home!

John H. D. Watson said...

Excellent :)

Greg Lestrade said...

Stopped for fuel - petrol and coffee. Possibly done something more stupid than getting my tongue stuck in a cheesecake wrapper...

John H. D. Watson said...

Oh?

Greg Lestrade said...

bit myself eating a banana...

John H. D. Watson said...

The cheesecake wrapper is still funnier...

Greg Lestrade said...

.. i bit myself on the thumb, Doc. I was so unco-ordinated, I put both banana and thumb in my mouth and bit.

stop laughing. You're not even here tokiss it better.

John H. D. Watson said...

You can't be sure I'm laughing... I'll kiss it when you get home, promise.

Sherlock said...

He is laughing. Are you nearly home?

Greg Lestrade said...

Hmm. Did you have a good day?

Sherlock said...

You didn't answer me when are you going to be home? I had a good day but you really need to come and clean the pond and John couldn't pick me up because he was working but Mrs Hudson did and we made you a surprise when you're home and WHEN ARE YOU HOME?

pandabob said...

What it is to be wanted hey Greg ;-)

Is the thumb biting a sing of not enough sleep?

Did you have fun at school Sherlock?

REReader said...

It sounds like you have a really good surprise for Lestrade--when he gets home--Sherlock!

It snowed here today just enough to put a very thin but clean layer of white on top of the piles of dirty ice. (Which will turn all disgusting by tomorrow anyway, but at least it looks less black and brown and yellow for a few hours!) Also I had my eyes checked today (post-cataract surgery check, all looks fine, which is a good thing) and my eyes are still dilated, it's like living in a fun house. (Which is not a good thing!)

Sherlock said...

We haven't had any snow AT ALL. John says we can have pizza and then Lestrade can have his cold or make it hot again so we're getting it now. I'm having olives and pineapple and ham and barbecue and cheese and lots of cheese and John's having jalapenos.

REReader said...

You still might, winter isn't over yet.

Mmmmm, fresh pizza!

Greg Lestrade said...

I'm ome. I'm too old and tired to get off the bike. but i'm sitting in our street, at least.

John H. D. Watson said...

Shall I come and get you?

Greg Lestrade said...

Yeah :)

John H. D. Watson said...

Be there in a second, just telling Sherlock to be gentle with his hugs, considering your ancient bones...

Greg Lestrade said...

they were perfect hugs. And you're a perfect husband.

Greg Lestrade said...

...and this is pretty perfect pizza.

John H. D. Watson said...

I'm really glad you're home.

Greg Lestrade said...

me too :) missed you. Missed pizza on the sofa with Sherlock sitting on the arm like a giant vulture ready to eat all my food.

So...you didn't answer earlier...did you have a good day?

John H. D. Watson said...

I suppose so. Just...ordinary, I suppose. If that's possible around here.

Greg Lestrade said...

yeah? No weird or horrible cases? Early morning call out.... and Sherlock has just shot off to get my 'surprise' the moment the last bite of pizza was in my face...

Sherlock said...

It's biscuits and they're hearts and livers and kidneys.

REReader said...

Ha! Clever and appropriate as well as tasty!

John H. D. Watson said...

Who doesn't like a nice sugary liver?

Nothing weird. Horrible...a bit, yeah.

Greg Lestrade said...

want to talk, once our gruesome baker boy is in bed?

John H. D. Watson said...

Yeah, that'd be good. Thanks.

Greg Lestrade said...

another reason I'm glad I'm back :)

Greg Lestrade said...

Right, very excitable Sherlock, hopped up on livers, now in bed, if not asleep.

Danger...I might've invited Darren to stay...Darren, if I didn't invite you, when you're down for...the course I can't remember anything about, consider yourself invited.

John H. D. Watson said...

That'll be nice.

REReader said...

(I'm pulling out of a long term endeavor that's been a burden for a while. I'm very stubborn, especially about just getting through a project once it's underway, and I've never bailed on anything this big before. It feels AMAZING.)

fA--a bit belated, but if you feel that good about stepping back, that's a good sign that it was the right decision for you. Congrats!

Anonymous said...

Thanks RR. There are, of course, weeks of closing things out so I leave in good order and don't let anyone down - but the psychological burden is gone. I haven't been this pleased with my work life in months, maybe years!

And congratulations on the cataract surgery! Everyone I know who's had it has been happy - or even thrilled if they had had to put it off for some reason - once it's over and their sight is improved. Hope your results are the same.

fA

Post a Comment