Osler's Razor

An Osler Phrasebook

Having spent some time with my parents and siblings, I was reminded of the odd turns of language my family developed. While these terms may be unusual, you might find them useful in certain situations. For each, I will offer a definition and appropriate use.

1) Country Hell Muffin
-- Origin: Borrowed from Plansker family
-- Something can be said to be “Country Hell Muffin” if it is both kitschy and has at least a vague rural/farming theme. For example, “Did you see that doll with the gingham hat? She’s country hell muffin.”

2) Delayed Departure Disorder
-- Origin: Created to describe common condition, circa 1986
-- Delayed Departure Disorder is a psychological condition that prevents one from terminating a vacation at the time previously arranged. It appears to be contagious. For example, “Prof. Bates was supposed to be back from Nepal last week; either his Sherpas killed him or he got Delayed Departure Disorder.”

3) We’ll Burn That Bridge When We Come To It
-- Origin: Phyllis Osler mangling of “we’ll cross that bridge when
we come to it.”
-- “We’ll burn that bridge when we come to it” describes either the
putting off of a particular decision or a general philosophy of life. It describes the life choice where one crosses a metaphorical bridge, then destroys said bridge so that it is impossible to go back. As in “Let’s not worry about the bar exam now. We’ll burn that bridge when we come to it,” or “she’s a burn that bridge when we come to it kind of girl.”

4) The Trailing Edge
-- Origin: Spike Osler evaluation of weather patterns
-- Like “We’ll burn that bridge when we come to it,” the term “it’s the trailing edge” can refer to either a specific event or a general philosophy of life. It typically is used to as an optimistic way to describe bad weather, wildfires, tuberculosis outbreaks, etc. I.e., “Canadian troops just seized Dallas, but it’s the trailing edge,” or “he won’t stop driving because of tornados—he’s a trailing edge guy.”