Dr. Watsonish
adjEtymology From Dr. Watson + -ish.
1
Resembling or characteristic of the character Dr. Watson from the Sherlock Holmes stories.
- “How on earth could you tell it was his?” asked a Dr. Watsonish-kind of clerk with as much awe as if he were addressing Sherlock Holmes himself.1908 May 24, “The Englishman’s Umbrella”, in The New York Times, volume LVII, number 18,383, New York, N.Y., part five, page 5, column 1:
- To a cottage by the sea come a famous English detective and his very Dr. Watson[-]ish friend.1929 June 23, “The Weekly Review—A Page About Books”, in Donald Davidson, editor, The Knoxville Sunday Journal, volume 5, number 48, Knoxville, Tenn.:
4 more examples
- Charlie [Robinson] enlightens: […] “In my Dr. Watsonish way, I have rawther deducted that the policy of the Round Table might be summed up thusly: No regular meetings are scheduled, but as activities an occasions demand, the club is called together and I believe past history warrants the conclusion that they have done a better than average job of getting things done.[…]”1942 February 11, Lee Russell, “Sittin’ in the Press Row with Lee Russell”, in The Idaho Daily Statesman, number 173, Boise, Ida., page eleven, column 1:
- One of the most irritating auctorial devices is that of having a story told through the eyes of a character who takes no part in it, who merely looks and listens in a sort of Dr. Watsonish fascination.1945 April 15, Mary-Carter Roberts, “Reviewing The New Books”, in The Sunday Star, number 2,089/36,871, Washington, D.C., pages C—3, column 1:
- I was flattered that he should consider me worthy of his acquaintance; I felt a certain Doctor Watson-ish admiration for the charm and confidence of his manner.1961, Colin Wilson, Adrift in Soho, Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin Company; Cambridge, Mass.: The Riverside Press, →LCCN, page 39:
- Joseph Sedley, a Dr. Watsonish-type character, provided some chuckles.1961 January 13, Bill Summers, “Becky Uses Charms To Climb, Plot”, in Orlando Evening Star, 85th year, number 9, Orlando, Fla., pages 6—B, column 1: