“old coins, apparently” [MUSG] This is National Coin Week , according to the American Numismatic Association. What better week to consider old money in the Sherlock Holmes stories? The terminology and math can be confusing to us today. Quid? Sovereign? Shilling? How do these relate to each other and how much buying power did they have? Greg Ruby, BSI of The Fourth Garrideb put a bug in our ear and that became a Trifle... Have you left us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts yet? You don't need ...
Apr 24, 2019•22 min•Season 3Ep. 121
“distinctly Australian” [BOSC] To readers of the Sherlock Holmes stories in the late Victorian era, Australia was an exotic and dangerous place. It was not all that far removed from the days of transportation, when some criminals and the destitute were put on ships bound for the land Down Under. Australia makes a number of appearances in the Canon. What do these have in common and what inferences can we make? These are but a Trifle... Have you left us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts yet? Y...
Apr 17, 2019•24 min•Season 3Ep. 120
“two on the lawn” [CROO] Sherlock Holmes and tennis — they go together like...like... Well, we're here to tell you that while combining the great detective with a lawn sport is actually elementary. There are a handful of passing references to this sport in the Canon, and pointing them out is merely a Trifle... Have you left us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts yet? You don't need to own an Apple device, and every review helps more people find the show. We're available everywhere you listen t...
Apr 10, 2019•21 min•Season 3Ep. 119
“we can't have tomfoolery of this kind” [FIVE] The beginning of April dependably brings April Fools' Day. And while there weren't outright hi-jinks in the Sherlock Holmes stories, there were a fair share of instances where individuals were fooled. You might think that it's Watson who's fooled frequently, but there were a number of times when Sherlock Holmes himself had the wool pulled over his eyes. We explore examples that add up to a little more than a Trifle... Have you left us a rating and r...
Apr 03, 2019•18 min•Season 3Ep. 118
“It is Porlock's writing” [VALL] The opening of The Valley of Fear introduced us to a mysterious individual: Porlock, who sent a cryptic note to Sherlock Holmes to warn him of doings afoot at Birlstone. Sherlock Holmes didn't look into Porlock's identity too closely, but we do have a number of clues and inferences that may lead us to an identification. Or that may at least narrow things down a bit. It's just a Trifle... Have you left us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts yet? You don't need t...
Mar 27, 2019•19 min•Season 3Ep. 117
“The dancing Irish deviltry” [VALL] The Irish make scant appearances across the earlier Sherlock Holmes stories, but once we pass The Valley of Fear, it's as if Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's brogue has been released onto the pages. We explore some of those instances — including the subtle and passing ones early on — and just how Sherlock Holmes found himself inside of an Irish secret society in America. Have you left us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts yet? You don't need to own an Apple device,...
Mar 20, 2019•20 min•Season 3Ep. 116
“the game was whist” [EMPT] We continue our monthly investigation into Games and Sports in the Sherlock Holmes stories, and in this case, we turn our attention to a card game. Specifically, whist. There aren't too many instances of card games in the Canon, but whist comes up a couple of times. How was it played? We discuss that, and something of a trifle with respect to the game of whist that was discovered in "The Devil's Foot." Have you left us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts yet? You do...
Mar 13, 2019•15 min•Season 3Ep. 115
“volumes of poetry” [ENGR] When we think of poetry, it's a style of writing that transports us, particularly emotionally, to another plane of existence. Poetry is like the rose over which Sherlock Holmes had a moment of reverie in "The Naval Treaty": "But this rose is an extra. Its smell and its color are an embellishment of life, not a condition of it." Holmes wasn't known for his poetic moments. In the story that proceeded the excerpt above ("The Greek Interpreter"), Holmes admonished Watson f...
Mar 06, 2019•25 min•Season 3Ep. 114
“There has been some villainy here” [COPP] A look at some of the villains in the Sherlock Holmes stories, beginning with the first real heavy that we encounter. Sherlock Holmes said "When a doctor goes wrong, he is the first of criminals." And Dr. Grimesby Roylott did not disappoint: he killed a man and served hard time for it, had a temper, kept wild animals, associated with gypsies, and more. Perhaps it's just a bit more than a Trifle... Have you left us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts y...
Feb 27, 2019•16 min•Season 3Ep. 113
“Have we any Italians on the staff?” [SIXN] Italians seem to surround us in the Sherlock Holmes stories. Restaurants, music, artisans, and of course criminals. But Sherlock Holmes himself had some familiarity with Italy, both before and after his experience at the Reichenbach Falls. How far does this association with Italy go? Well, it's just a Trifle... Have you left us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts yet? You don't need to own an Apple device, and every review helps more people find the ...
Feb 20, 2019•20 min•Season 3Ep. 112
“a straight left against a slogging ruffian” [SOLI] Sherlock Holmes, boxer? We don't often consider Sherlock Holmes for his boxing abilities, yet Watson very clearly noted his talent in that field in the very first story. But Holmes wasn't the only boxer in the Canon. We repeatedly see mentions of the sport made official by the Marquess of Queensbury, as both tangential mentions and more central parts of the stories. But we'll try to keep this discussion of boxers brief. After all, it is a Trifl...
Feb 13, 2019•20 min•Season 3Ep. 111
“glancing at the governess” [WIST] They pop up here and there around the Canon quite infrequently. However, you can be sure that when a governess is featured in a Sherlock Holmes story, she's part of the plot. What was this profession, and what did the ladies in these roles do? What was their station in life? We explore these questions, which shed light on why they might have found themselves in sticky situations from time to time in this episode of Trifles. Have you left us a rating and review ...
Feb 07, 2019•23 min•Season 3Ep. 110
“Look at this advertisement” [STUD] For well over 100 years, Sherlock Holmes has been seen in advertisements around the world. The fact is: Sherlock Holmes sells. He's good for brands. There are a number of instances of brands that were mentioned within the Sherlock Holmes stories themselves. What are they? Well, we enumerate them, plus provide a few "what-ifs" ourselves in this episode of Trifles. Have you left us a rating and review on iTunes yet? You don't need to own an Apple device, and eve...
Jan 30, 2019•20 min•Season 3Ep. 109
“Who were these German people” [ENGR] Sherlock Holmes had a number of encounters with German people. Who were they, and how did these interactions reflect on international relations at the time? This is the first in a new series on Trifles focusing on international elements of the Sherlock Holmes stories. Have you left us a rating and review on iTunes yet? You don't need to own an Apple device, and every review helps more people find the show. And please consider supporting our efforts through P...
Jan 23, 2019•17 min•Season 3Ep. 108
“the smartest of the Scotland Yarders” [SIGN] If you ask anyone familiar with the Sherlock Holmes stories to name a Scotland Yard inspector, they'll invariably answer, "Inspector Lestrade." But Sherlock Holmes had a healthy respect for a handful of other police inspectors, both from Scotland Yard and from the surrounding areas. Who were they, and in which stories did they appear? Have you left us a rating and review on iTunes yet? You don't need to own an Apple device, and every review helps mor...
Jan 16, 2019•17 min•Season 3Ep. 107
“to play games of that sort” [REIG] This marks the first in a semi-regular series on Trifles in which we spend time talking about sports and games in the Sherlock Holmes stories. In this episode, we look specifically at board games that were mentioned in the Canon and discuss their history and origins. Have you left us a rating and review on iTunes yet? You don't need to own an Apple device, and every review helps more people find the show. And please consider supporting our efforts through Patr...
Jan 09, 2019•23 min•Season 3Ep. 106
“the tall, black-bearded figure” [HOUN] We begin our third season with a discussion of facial hair in the Sherlock Holmes stories. Specifically, beards. That's right, hipsters: you've got company. Very, very old company. Interestingly, we found that many of the more famous bearded characters in the stories shared a similar character trait. Just what was it? It's just a trifle, but you'll have to tune in to find out. Have you left us a rating and review on iTunes yet? You don't need to own an App...
Jan 02, 2019•22 min•Season 3Ep. 105
“he had invariably breakfasted and gone out before I rose” [STUD] The holidays typically bring a bounty of food, followed by solemn pledges to exercise and take better care of ourselves in the new year. What do we know about Sherlock Holmes and his eating habits? He was thin, but did that mean he didn't have an appreciation for food? From fast food to fine dining, Sherlock Holmes displayed a wide range of culinary appreciation. And it's our topic for the final episode of Trifles for 2018. Do you...
Dec 26, 2018•17 min•Season 2Ep. 104
“if it turns red, it means a man's life” [NAVA] We often fixate on the famous cases like the Giant Rat of Sumatra, James Phillimore and his umbrella, or Wilson, the notorious canary trainer. But there are times when some trifling detail escapes our notice. In this, the final episode of our Unpublished Cases series, we look at the tiniest bit of detail around a chemistry experiment that had to do with a man's life in the balance... And we need your help for 2019! Let us know what additional topic...
Dec 19, 2018•21 min•Season 2Ep. 103
“he slipped down upon the floor” [PRIO] It's not often that we have our eyes cast downward at 221B Baker Street. There are so many interesting things to see at eye-level: the Persian slipper, the chemistry set, the patriotic 'VR' on the wall. But there were floor coverings in the famous flat. In this, the final episode of our Inside 221B series, we look at what was on the floor and the care that must have gone into them. They are just a Trifle... And we need your help for 2019! Let us know what ...
Dec 12, 2018•18 min•Season 2Ep. 102
“In the morning you will send for a hansom” [FINA] The Sherlock Holmes canon is a wonderful snapshot of the times. In particular, we get a good sense of the kinds of transportation that conveyed citizens around London and its environs. The hansom cab is probably the most well-known, but there are a number of other types of horse-drawn vehicles that we find in the stories. What are they? Well, it's just a Trifle. And we need your help for 2019! Let us know what additional topics you'd like us to ...
Dec 05, 2018•25 min•Season 2Ep. 101
“Did you tell him of our telephone appointment?” [3GAR] From the Gramophone to the telephone, November seems to be quite the month of technology here on Trifles. Yes, even though Holmes did most of his work in the late 19th century, there were opportunities to use the newfangled voice-to-voice communications device known as the telephone. We explore just when and where, as well as certain supporting clues. And we need your help for 2019! Let us know what additional topics you'd like us to discus...
Nov 28, 2018•15 min•Season 2Ep. 100
“I am retained in this case of the Ferrers Documents” [PRIO] The arrival of Dr. Thorneycroft Huxtable on the doorstep (and hearth rug!) of 221B Baker Street was dramatic. He collapsed like a beached whale, and Sherlock Holmes was able to infer a great deal about the reason for his visit. And yet, Holmes gave an excuse for potentially turning down the case: he was involved with the Ferrers Documents. We're not told what that is, but we think it may just be a Trifle... Have you left us a rating an...
Nov 21, 2018•16 min•Season 2Ep. 99
“modern gramophones are a remarkable invention” [MAZA] When you glance across the Sherlock Holmes stories, there really aren't that many instances of children. Some of the tales are just not suitable for little ears, after all. But there were key instances in which children played a vital role in the plot or moving the action forward. We explore some of those, as well as the warning signs that you might want to spend a little more (or less) time with the young ones. It is just a Trifle... Have y...
Nov 14, 2018•14 min•Season 2Ep. 98
“Children, my dear boy, children.” [GREE] When you glance across the Sherlock Holmes stories, there really aren't that many instances of children. Some of the tales are just not suitable for little ears, after all. But there were key instances in which children played a vital role in the plot or moving the action forward. We explore some of those, as well as the warning signs that you might want to spend a little more (or less) time with the young ones. It is just a Trifle... Have you left us a ...
Nov 08, 2018•22 min•Season 2Ep. 97
"Disguised, and under an assumed name" [STUD] Sherlock Holmes was a master of disguises. They allowed him to infiltrate areas that would have otherwise been off-limits or situations in which he would have been discovered. What were some of the incarnations he undertook? Can you remember the four named aliases he assumed? It is just a Trifle... Have you left us a rating and review on iTunes yet? You don't need to own an Apple device, and every review helps more people find the show. And please co...
Oct 31, 2018•17 min•Season 2Ep. 96
"a small monograph upon the uses of dogs in the work of the detective" [CREE] There are a handful of dogs sprinkled throughout the Sherlock Holmes stories. And while a few of them are used in a traditional police-tracking way, the great detective found other uses for them. Whether friendly, hostile, or just plain silent, dogs were vital to helping Sherlock Holmes solve some of his cases. It's just a Trifle... Have you left us a rating and review on iTunes yet? You don't need to own an Apple devi...
Oct 24, 2018•24 min•Season 2Ep. 95
"the peculiar persecution of John Vincent Harden" [SOLI] The famous year of 1895 holds many wonders. Many of the cases in The Return of Sherlock Holmes took place in this year, and as you would imagine, many of the untold tales are mentioned during that timeframe. And it would seem that if one has three names — John Hector McFarlane, John Scott Eccles, or in this case John Vincent Harden — there's some dirty work afoot. How is it that a tobacco millionaire can come to be persecuted in a peculiar...
Oct 17, 2018•18 min•Season 2Ep. 94
"Pray take a seat" [MAZA] As we glance around the sitting room at 221B Baker Street, the famous lodgings of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, there's no lack of seating. In fact, one might have the pick of any number of seating styles. From armchair to basket chair, settees to sofas, we explore the seating arrangements found in Sherlock Holmes's flat. We discuss who sat where and when, and how one particular chair gave away a criminal. These are just Trifles... Have you left us a rating and review...
Oct 10, 2018•17 min•Season 2Ep. 93
"he could send some telegrams" [PRIO] "My correspondence certainly has the charm of variety," said Sherlock Holmes in "The Noble Bachelor." He could have been easily referring to the medium as well as the message. For Holmes was an inveterate sender and receiver of telegrams. What was the messaging industry like in those days? And why did Holmes have Watson read his correspondence to him from time to time? That's what we explore in this episode of Trifles. Have you left us a rating and review on...
Oct 03, 2018•17 min•Season 2Ep. 92
