gunslingerannie:

Okay so back in the 1800s, “ejaculate” was a synonym for “exclaim”, which results in some rather unfortunate turns of phrase, especially when you add a genius detective and his overenthusiastic doctor pal into the mix. I give you:

The 5 best uses of the word “ejaculate” in Sherlock Holmes.

5. Holmes overreacts slightly to a visitor



The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had framed himself in the aperture. (SPEC)

4. Holmes underestimates his effect on Watson

“Wonderful!” I ejaculated. “Commonplace,” said Holmes, though I thought from his expression that he was pleased at my evident surprise and admiration. (STUD)



3. Watson has an eventful night

So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of shag which I had seen upon the previous night. (TWIS)

2. Holmes expresses himself



I tried to draw my companion’s attention to them; but he gave a little ejaculation of impatience, and continued to stare into the street. (FINA)



He glanced at it, and then, with an ejaculation of disgust, threw it on the floor. (MILV)



Holmes gave an ejaculation of impatience. (GOLD)



Finally, he sprang down with an ejaculation of satisfaction. (ABBE) In the bedroom he made a rapid cast around and ended by throwing open the window, which appeared to give him some fresh cause for excitement, for he leaned out of it with loud ejaculations of interest and delight. (DEVI)

1. And the best use of the word in the whole Canon:



“My dear Holmes!” I ejaculated. (RESI)

Honourable mention goes to Percy Phelps, who managed to ejaculate three times in one page during NAVA despite being on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Hats off to you, Perce.