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Expression is a classic from Sherlock Holmes.
The expression was a "classic" some 287/288 years before the literary character Sherlock Holmes ever uttered the phrase.
The expression is from William Shakespeare's 'Henry V'* … a story written circa 1598 about King Henry V of England, focusing on events immediately before and after the Battle of Agincourt (1415) during the Hundred Years' War.**
The lines comes towards the end of a motivational monologue by King Henry V himself to his troops that is sometimes referred to as the 'once more into the breach' speech.
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, straining upon the start. The game's afoot! Follow your spirit, and upon this charge cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!
* Its full titles are The Cronicle History of Henry the Fifth (in the First Quartotext) and The Life of Henry the Fifth (in the First Folio text).
** The "Hundred Years War" is actually a misnomer… the war actually lasted some 116 years.
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What does AFOOT mean?
It originally meant "on the loose" or "taking flight" - literally (traveling) "on foot." There is another connotation meaning "under way" (proceeding), as in "the plans are afoot for a new roadway."
Another word for ongoing?
Afoot,under way, progressing
What is the simple subject of this sentence The origin of the game of chess is not well known?
=== ===
What is the origin of the word montage?
The origin is from french
What is the origin of the word 'phony'?
The word "phony" has its origins in an Irish confidence game, known as fawney rig. It means not real, baseless in fact, arousing suspicion, or a scam.
What is the missing word in the Sherlock Holmes quote The xxx is afoot?
game
How to Use afoot in a sentence?
Plans afoot for Egypt poultry projectEffort afoot to allow guns on campuses
When was Something's Afoot created?
Something's Afoot was created in 1976.
What is 199-12 inches as afoot?
199-12 inches as afoot = 187
How would you use afoot in a sentence?
The Townes Van Zandt song "Frisco Depot" uses the word "afoot". Here is his lyric... " When you're afoot, there's nothing as fast as a train."
What rhymes with afoot?
soot
What are the release dates for Fun Afoot - 1928?
Fun Afoot - 1928 was released on: USA: 18 March 1928
How many inches are in afoot?
12
What actors and actresses appeared in There Are Cold Toes Afoot - 2008?
The cast of There Are Cold Toes Afoot - 2008 includes: Mary Odbert
What are the release dates for The Amazing Race - 2001 The Game's Afoot 6-1?
The Amazing Race - 2001 The Game's Afoot 6-1 was released on: USA: 16 November 2004 Hungary: 1 April 2006 (part 1) Hungary: 8 April 2006 (part 2) Finland: 26 November 2006 Japan: 4 May 2008
What phrases did shakespeare invent that english speakers use today?
"The game's afoot." "All that glitters is not gold." "What the dickens" "Gilding the lily" "What's in a name?"
What is a word that means something is in play?
afoot
