Meaning of “The Usual Suspects”
”The usual suspects” is an idiomatic expression which means a certain number of people who are always involved in a certain activity or are linked to certain behaviors. This group is usually associated or considered to be engaged in misconduct or undesirable activities based on previous events or previous records.
The phrase is commonly used in vernacular with certain degree of sarcasm, meaning that the people who are being referred are expected to be involved in the given circumstances, as they have history to exhibit similar behavior. For example, when one is at a workplace and a piece of equipment is missing, the manager may say, “Go and check the usual suspects”, which means that he is referring to those employees who are notorious for misplacing items and have a tendency of using items without approval.
The expression can also be used for companies, organizations or even for factors or conditions that are often linked to the development of issues. In this broader sense, “the usual suspects” relay to any known sources of problems, vices or poor results.
Origin of “The Usual Suspects”
The term ‘the usual suspects’ is used to describe a list of people who are often blamed for certain crimes or other related offences. Although the phrase was made famous in the 1995 movie “The Usual Suspects”, however, it was in used before the movie by a number of decades.
Probably one of the first instances of the use of the phrase is in the 1935 mystery novel by Q. Patrick titled “The Grindle Nightmare”, where the detectives were examining the ‘usual suspects’ in a line-up. The phrase “the usual suspects” can also be found in the literature of early twentieth century to refer to a group of people or elements associated with particular events.
The phrase “the usual suspects” got popularity from the movie ‘Casablanca’ released in the year 1942, where the character Captain Renault, a French policeman gives his men orders to apprehend the usual suspects after a crime has been committed. The line was said with a cool and casual tone and emphasized with a subtle smirk; the line became famous and popular to the colloquial language.
Examples of “The Usual Suspects” in Literature
The phrase “the usual suspects” has been used in different literary and fictional works to refer to mere characters or groups of people who are most likely to be implicated in any particular circumstances. It possesses certain associations with routine, being conventional, and sometimes even with distrust or reprehension on occasion.
Example#1
“Our Man in Havana” by Graham Greene
In this novel, the author exposes the ridiculous aspect of spying and the danger of lying. The plot revolves around the protagonist James Wormold, a forty year old vacuum cleaner salesman who is living in Havana and being blackmailed into spying for the British Secret Service. Wormold in fact has no information to report and thus creates it, which triggers a nearly slapstick scenario.
The author employs the phrase ‘the usual suspects’ to refer to people who are naturally assume the job of spying and all the antics revolving round Wormolds fictitious intelligence. In one particular scene, as the British intelligence officers review Wormold’s reports, they discuss who might be responsible for the latest developments:
“It is impossible to believe that a new force is at work here,” the Chief said. “In all likelihood, it is the usual suspects, acting in their usual ways.”
Here, Greene uses the phrase to emphasize the prosaic and unimpressive nature of the intelligence organizations, as they expect that the old faces are behind all new activity regardless of any evidence. This usage underlines the satire of the novel as a result of which the novel makes a mockery of the efficiency of the intelligence services.
Example#2
“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” by John le Carré
It is a spy novel of the highest order that explores the theme of espionage, source, and treachery in the shadow of the Cold War. The plot revolves around George Smiley, a former executive secretary of the British intelligence service, who is invited to investigate a large scale Soviet agent in the leadership of the British Secret Service.
The author also employs the phrase ‘the usual suspects’ throughout the novel in reference to a number of senior officers that are suspected to be the mole. It is used to give focus to the message that these people are most probably involved because of their ranking, previous conduct and knowledge of certain details. In one tense meeting, Smiley reflects on the situation:
“It was always the same old game, the same old players. The usual suspects, all with their secrets, their ambitions, their lies.”
In the passage, the author utilizes the phrase for reiterating the deterministic nature of the events. The phrase “the usual suspects” reflects tiredness and hopelessness of Smiley, as he knows that the mole is most probably a man he knows, who has been doing the intelligence work for years.
The author uses the phrase to add atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust in the novel, which highlights the complexities of loyalty and betrayal within the intelligence community.
Example#3
“The Bonfire of the Vanities” by Tom Wolfe
It is a satirical novel that focuses on Wall Street greed, media coverage, and the race issues in New York Society in the 1980s. It is based on a narrative of Sherman McCoy, a wealthy bond trader, who experiences a scandal after a hit-and-run accident in Bronx.
The author uses the term “the usual villain” referring to the repetitive faces that are always implicated in scandal and hysteria in the city. As the media and public latch onto the story of the accident, McCoy becomes one of the “usual suspects” in the eyes of the press and the public:
“The tabloids were in full cry, as usual, digging up every scrap of dirt they could find on McCoy. The usual suspects—the lawyers, the activists, the headline hunters—were all lining up to take their shots.”
Here, the writer employs the phrase to describe the inevitable events that follow any scandal or controversy in regards to media coverage. The “usual suspects” are the individuals who are always ready to benefit from a situation, it maybe for political or monetary gains.
Wolfe has used this phrase to relate the ironic criticism of the media as portrayed in the novel and the corrupt vultures who feed off sensationally hype scandals.
Example#4
“1984” by George Orwell
It is an anti-utopian novel, which describes the negative impact of totalitarianism, surveillance, and state control over the truth. The novel depicts a society, wherein a political party led by Big Brother possesses complete dominance over the society.
The author’s use of the expression ‘the usual suspects’ refers to it as the group of people that are arrested, tortured and punished by the Party for state offenses. These individuals are often accused of thought crimes or other forms of dissent, even if there is little evidence to support the charges:
“It was always the same. The Thought Police would come in the night, and by morning, the usual suspects would be gone. No one knew where, and no one dared to ask.”
The use of the phrase highlights the whimsical and tyrannical ways of the Party towards the populace. The ‘usual suspects’ are the individuals that are arrested, imprisoned or otherwise harassed by this regime over and over again, apparently because they are seen by the regime as a threat to Party supremacy.
The phrase contributes to create an apprehensive mood in the novel. The reader just gets the idea of how it must feel like for a man who knows he is innocent but can potentially be a suspect in the state’s eyes.
Modern Usage and Relevance of “The Usual Suspects”
The phrase “the usual suspects” is still quite popular in the present day language and culture. It is frequently applied when referring to the routine patterns of behavior or events that may be associated with criminal activity or at least some level of predictable negativity. Even though the meaning may be broadened to include anything familiar in its general usage.
1- In Journalism and Media
In journalism and media settings, ‘the usual suspects’ refers to the people, companies, or factors that are frequently implicated in certain circumstances or scandalous events. Some journalists might prefer the phrase to highlight the continuity of some individuals especially in political scandal, corporate malfeasance, or controversy over public policies.
2-In Politics and Public Discourse
In politics and political discussions, the phrase “the usual suspects” refers to the politicians, lobbyists, activists or any interest group that is usually associated with any political debates or issues. The phrase may also be used with negative emotions, such as irony or pessimism to imply that the same people or organizations are consistently involved in controversies.
3- In Everyday Conversation
In popular terminology, “the usual suspects” is understood as individuals or objects that are frequently associated with some particular activity or context. The phrase can also be used in an informal or joking manner, and in a more formal or even a political context.
Example Sentences of “The Usual Suspects”
- When the neighbor’s window was smashed, the angry man rounded up the usual suspects – the rowdy kids from down the street.
- The teacher sighed thinking about calling the principal to punish the usual suspects for the graffiti in the bathroom.
- Sharon was annoyed at being accused, saying “I’m tired of being considered one of the usual suspects whenever something goes wrong in the office.”
- The detective realized he had to look beyond the usual suspects to crack this challenging case that didn’t fit a common pattern.
- Whenever social media breaks with celebrity gossip, you can expect the usual suspects of tabloids racing to publish rumors.
- The police apprehended and questioned the usual suspects from the area when the unsolved crime occurred.
- I’m innocent this time – don’t just blame me because I’m one of the usual suspects!
- Stephen’s prank was so ingenious that for once the teachers didn’t round up the usual suspects.
- The coach knew to monitor the activities of the usual suspects on the team more closely to prevent any unsportsmanlike conduct.
- The detective said in frustration, “All we’ve got are the confessions of the usual suspects, but no solid evidence!”
