IYKYK: The Compliments of the Season

 

I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places. --"The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle"

It is that time again, the "compliments of the season" time.  During this festive time of year Sherlockians use the phrase as a happy greeting. It is one of the favorite lines among the many in our community language--a language built upon IYKYK. And isn't that knowing grand in its own small way? Sherlockiana may be a minuscule thing relative to the entire planet but that hardly matters. IYKYK and you can be a part of a community, small or otherwise, that is, in my experience, about 90% warm, welcoming, and fun. And if the other 10% is hurtful at times, it can be "worth many wounds - to know the depth of loyalty and love" when the 90% comes to your defense.  

Canon language is part of who I am now. At least twice in the last week, Sherlockian language has made me happy. First instance: Sometimes I forget and use it outside the community and the sound of Watson's words will often make another person stop, think about what I said, and then question me about it.  I was in a craft class where we were discussing some of the various end products, and specifically some which proved to be over done to the point of tackiness. I said something to the effect of "They should have listened to Sherlock Holmes; they obviously lacked 'the grand gift of the artist.'" The statement resulted in a nice conversation about Holmes and craft. I loved it. 

I also loved it this week when a fellow Sherlockian living  across the pond sent me a Christmas card with a funny pun. Of course the pun worked because he knew I would understand a pun derived from a "three-pipe problem." I have the card sitting on the mantle and I laugh every time I walk by it. Compliments of the season indeed--the warm fuzzy feelings will probably last beyond the season.

I know I'm being sentimental; unlike Holmes, I'm not "immune from sentiment" and no doubt he would hardly approve of what I've written here. He would find it to be a waste of time. He would think any study of his work should be "an exact science, and should be treated in the same cold and unemotional manner." Well, he is wrong about that. 

Just whisper "Norbury." IYKYK.

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