Columbo
Columbo is the rumpled, seemingly absent-minded homicide detective from the long-running American TV series of the same name, played by Peter Falk.
The character's signature move is appearing to leave, then turning back with Just one more thing... to ask the question that unravels the suspect.
A Columbo refers to someone who uses apparent bumbling to disarm others while being shrewdly observant: He pulled a Columbo on the witness.
Prolonged strategic pursuit
- psychologicalOf the mind
- interrogationFormal, probing examination
- detailSingle small element
- alibiDefense of location
clue · evidence · observation · persistence · underestimation · trap · confession · closing scene
- detectiveProfessional crime investigator
- NBCAmerican television network
- trench coatBelted, double-breasted raincoat
- cigarWrapped tobacco for smoking
1970s · murder mystery · whodunit · Universal · Levinson · Link · homicide · Los Angeles
Los Angeles police
- disheveledUntidy in appearance
- rumpledCrinkled from neglect
- PeugeotFrench automotive marque
- wifeFemale marriage partner
glass eye · deceptive · unassuming · persistent · methodical · gotcha moment · working class · Italian-American
Temporary celebrity cast member
- murdererOne who unlawfully kills
- wealthyHaving abundant financial resources
- arrogantExcessively high self-regard
- eliteSuperior select group
intellectual · perfect crime · hubris · overconfidence · patronizing · smug · upper class · sophisticated
cat-and-mouse
Prolonged strategic pursuit
- psychologicalOf the mind
- interrogationFormal, probing examination
- detailSingle small element
alibi · clue · evidence · observation · persistence · underestimation · trap · confession · closing scene · confrontation
Peter Falk
- detectiveProfessional crime investigator
- NBCAmerican television network
- trench coatBelted, double-breasted raincoat
cigar · 1970s · murder mystery · whodunit · Universal · Levinson · Link · homicide · Los Angeles · revival
LAPD
Los Angeles police
- disheveledUntidy in appearance
- rumpledCrinkled from neglect
- PeugeotFrench automotive marque
wife · glass eye · deceptive · unassuming · persistent · methodical · gotcha moment · working class · Italian-American · bumbling
guest star
Temporary celebrity cast member
- murdererOne who unlawfully kills
- wealthyHaving abundant financial resources
- arrogantExcessively high self-regard
elite · intellectual · perfect crime · hubris · overconfidence · patronizing · smug · upper class · sophisticated · cultured
Sri Lanka
Island nation near India
South Asia · Indian Ocean · harbor · colonial · British · Sinhalese · Tamil · Buddhism
- mysteryclue, detective, suspect, clues, sleuth
- 70sdisco, bell-bottoms, Saturday Night Fever, pet rock, leisure suits
- Crime TVCriminal Minds, Chicago PD, Hawaii Five-O, Kojak, Miami Vice
- Detectivesdetective, sleuth, investigator, private eye, gumshoe
- Retro TVI Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, Leave It to Beaver, The Andy Griffith Show, The Twilight Zone
- sleuthssleuth, amateur detective, private eye, gumshoe, armchair detective
ColumboJames Bond
British intelligence agent
Dirty Harry · Hercule Poirot · Jack Bauer · Batman · Bullitt
ColumboMurder She Wrote
Cozy mystery series
Miss Marple · locked-room mystery · whodunit · Poirot · cozy mystery
- British ColumbiaCanada's western coastal province
- District of ColumbiaFederal capital territory
- Columbia RecordsOldest surviving American label
- Columbia UniversityManhattan's Ivy League institution
- Columbia PicturesAmerican film production company
- Columbia RiverMajor Pacific Northwest river