I read a Sherlock Holms novel written by Doyle and Carr, and I have some questions.
1.I smoked many pipes of Ship's. Is Ship's a brand or tabacco shop in London?
2" Then I trust," I replied with dignity,"that your own mission on the Continent was a success?" "A touch, Watson! Pray forgive my outburst of nerves...." What does "a touch" mean here?
3. The elderly lady, who was wrapped in grey fur and had a good deal of nose, raised a hand to forestall her. What does"a good deal of nose" mean?
Thanks in advance.
2007-01-08 14:59:57 · 6 answers · asked by ssliao728 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
1.). "ship's tobacco". Although there is a gret deal of debate about this tobacco of Dr. Watson among experts on Holmes' stories, there is no clear cut answer. The original word in the story is not capitalized, thus "ship's" . Here is the best I can find about the subject of the possible source of this kind of tobacco.
"In STUD (A Study in Scarlet) , Watson notes that he smokes "ship's." This is a coarse, strong, and rough-cut flake, likely a generic seamen's tobacco possibly rolled into a twist (see above). In his article "140 Different Varieties," John Hall notes that Watson smokes the "'ship's' tobacco that your great, great grandfather smoked--"not for those of weak constitution. It's almost odourless and tasteless, but the mere act of inhaling gives a blast of nicotine to the back of the throat which makes your eyes water." After noting the more generic ship tobacco, Hall also puts forth the supposition that it might also be "'Schippers Tabak Special' made in the Netherlands." But I think it is more likely that it is the generic ship tobacco, likely in a twist. Watson probably took to it on his return voyage from India while passing time with the crew"
2.) "a touch"--perhaps a reference to Shakespeare's Hamlet, when in the dueling scene, Hamlet says" "A touch. I do confess it." Meaning that Watson had "hit a nerve", or "made a point" by correctly interpreting Holmes' mood. Or, Webster's Unabridged says one meaning of a "touch" is : "to reach the heart or secret of; to guess at correctly; to fathom. "
3.) " a good deal of nose" Webster's Unabridged Dictionary has an archaic meaning of "nose" as : "to treat insolently. To deal irreverently or disrespectfully with....." Thus, it could mean that the woman behaved in a snotty (or snooty ) manner, taking airs, "looking down her nose" at somebody.
2007-01-08 15:48:52 · answer #1 · answered by JOHN B 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
this is a novel based on Sherlock Holmes written by his son Adrian Conan Doyle and Carr. Which one? The 'pipes of Ships' is an oblique reference to Holmes' known cocaine habit which Watson tried to wean him from with mixed success. As to the other queries, a touch just means a little and the old lady is obviously possessed of a generous nose!
2007-01-08 16:00:12 · answer #2 · answered by troothskr 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
1. Ship's is a brand of tobacco said to be blended in the Netherlands and preferred by sailors.
2. A touch means "a little"
3. SHe has a big nose.
2007-01-08 15:12:34 · answer #3 · answered by Betsy Jayne 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Some of us English still use the term "a touch", meaning "little".
But "little doesn't make sense here. I think it means "A moment".
The chap above who makes the link with Shakespeare could well be right, though!
2007-01-08 18:01:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ummm....
1. I have NO clue. Maybe a brand?
2. Let's see... "a small quantity or degree" from: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/a%20touch
3. She had a big nose?
That's just my best guess.
2007-01-08 15:05:04 · answer #5 · answered by Soccer Lover 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
1. brand of tobacco
2. ...
3. a huge nose jus more polite way of puttin it i guess
2007-01-08 15:10:02 · answer #6 · answered by samu 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋