Scotland Yard

proper noun·Victorian

Headquarters of London's Metropolitan Police, established 1829; metonym for the British detective force itself.

The headquarters of London's Metropolitan Police, established in 1829 on Great Scotland Yard. By the late 19th century the name had become metonymous with the British detective force itself; Sherlock Holmes's frequent foils Lestrade and Gregson are Scotland Yard inspectors. The headquarters moved in 1890 (becoming New Scotland Yard) but the older name persists in fiction.

Related terms

Back to glossary