I enjoyed this short discussion because it reminded me to be careful about assuming that something is “obviously true.” In my original post I assumed in his rejoinder to Watson, “So, not much cop this caring lark” Sherlock used what I thought were most probably British slang terms “cop” and “lark” that, given the context, almost surely meant perseverance and a group of people, respectively. If anyone commented on my post I expected it would be an etymological explanation of how the slang came to be used as such. But given your replies I see now I was wrong not only in defining what was the slang term/phrase, it being “not much cop” as opposed to “cop”, and the meaning of both that phrase and of “lark.” Having learned my lesson I can now say it is an obvious truth that care should be taken when one assumes something is obviously true.
Thank you for your response, qms. I also speculated that “cop” might be related to the expression “to cop out” and so agree that in this context may mean “commitment” or “to take responsibility for.” But I don't think “lark” was used in the “amusement or a fancy” sense. I came across a reference to it as British slang for “not doing something because it is too laborious” which I think is more likely the intended meaning given Sherlock's use of it.
Original Comment: I’m a fan of the BBC series Sherlock. In it Sherlock occasionally uses some British slang that I’m either already familiar with or the meaning of which I find after a brief net search. But I’m stuck on why he uses the words “cop and “lark” when he responds to Dr. Watson’s criticism that he is too cold and uncaring by countering that caring would slow down his analysis of the case which if solved would help the people that Watson is concerned about. He then asks Watson to follow him to the crime scene but Watson, still angry over Holmes’ emotional indifference, hesitates. Sherlock sees his hesitation and says in a scornful tone, “So, not much cop this caring lark.” Based on the context and his tone I’m assuming cop is British slang for either courage or perseverance and lark is a synonymous with lot as in a group of people. Does anyone have more specific information on the etymology of these words as used in this context.
Comments by mikejhelms
mikejhelms commented on the user mikejhelms
I enjoyed this short discussion because it reminded me to be careful about assuming that something is “obviously true.” In my original post I assumed in his rejoinder to Watson, “So, not much cop this caring lark” Sherlock used what I thought were most probably British slang terms “cop” and “lark” that, given the context, almost surely meant perseverance and a group of people, respectively. If anyone commented on my post I expected it would be an etymological explanation of how the slang came to be used as such. But given your replies I see now I was wrong not only in defining what was the slang term/phrase, it being “not much cop” as opposed to “cop”, and the meaning of both that phrase and of “lark.” Having learned my lesson I can now say it is an obvious truth that care should be taken when one assumes something is obviously true.
June 14, 2014
mikejhelms commented on the user mikejhelms
Thank you for your response, qms. I also speculated that “cop” might be related to the expression “to cop out” and so agree that in this context may mean “commitment” or “to take responsibility for.” But I don't think “lark” was used in the “amusement or a fancy” sense. I came across a reference to it as British slang for “not doing something because it is too laborious” which I think is more likely the intended meaning given Sherlock's use of it.
June 12, 2014
mikejhelms commented on the user mikejhelms
Original Comment: I’m a fan of the BBC series Sherlock. In it Sherlock occasionally uses some British slang that I’m either already familiar with or the meaning of which I find after a brief net search. But I’m stuck on why he uses the words “cop and “lark” when he responds to Dr. Watson’s criticism that he is too cold and uncaring by countering that caring would slow down his analysis of the case which if solved would help the people that Watson is concerned about. He then asks Watson to follow him to the crime scene but Watson, still angry over Holmes’ emotional indifference, hesitates. Sherlock sees his hesitation and says in a scornful tone, “So, not much cop this caring lark.” Based on the context and his tone I’m assuming cop is British slang for either courage or perseverance and lark is a synonymous with lot as in a group of people. Does anyone have more specific information on the etymology of these words as used in this context.
Alexz: Thank you for the references.
June 9, 2014