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Scotty Principle

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(n.) The defacto gold star standard for delivering products and/or services within a projected timeframe. Derived from the original Star Trek series wherein Lt. Cmdr. Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott consistently made the seemingly impossible happen just in time to save the crew of the Enterprise from disaster.

The premise is simple:

1) Caluculate average required time for completion of given task.

2) Depending on importance of task, add 25-50% additional time to original estimate.

3) Report and commit to inflated time estimate with superiors, clients, etc.

4) Under optimal conditions the task is completed closer to the original time estimate vs. the inflated delivery time expected by those waiting.
The following situation is a simulation of the Scotty Principle in practice.

Kirk: "The ship seems sluggish today. When was the last time you did a tune-up on the warp drive?"

Scotty: "Aye, sir. She's due. Last maintenance was 56 days ago."

Kirk: (light chuckle) "Well, what are you waiting for? An ambush from cloaked Romulans?"

Scotty: "I'll need to check how much dilithium we have in supply, but she'll be better than new in no time."

Kirk: "And that will be...?"

Scotty: "Six hours."

--- four hours later ---

Scotty: "All done, sir. Care to test her out?"

--- Enterprise taken rapidly to warp 3, does a few doughnuts, comes to a smooth stop ---

Kirk: "Scotty, there's no finer engineer in this quadrant!"
Scotty Principle by fugitive247 September 6, 2005
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House Principle

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If the expectation is that someone will be a complete asshole, then it becomes okay for that person to be a complete asshole.
Dr. Gregory House in any episode of House M.D. exhibits the House Principle.
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Principal 

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Some one who won't let you run in the damn halls when a teacher is trying to kill you
Player: *runs*
Principal: no running in the halls.
Player: FUCK YOU
Principal by Vincenta kittydog October 14, 2018
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The r/writing subreddit Principle 

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The r/writing subreddit Principle states that if your question starts with the words "Is it ok" or something similar to that then the answer is invariably yes.
"Hello, r/writing. Can I use a particular gimmick or a plot device that has been used before but because I don't actually read books or do any research I just assume it to be a highly original idea?"

"According to the r/writing subreddit Principle, the answer is always yes. You can write whatever you want."

"But is it ok if, like, my main character dies in the end? I'm afraid the average reader will be put off by my creative genius."

"Yes! Stop asking other people for validation! Grow a backbone and write what you want!"
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monty pythonesque application of the principles of logic and etymology 

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The standard logic used by such people as the knights of the round table. It's sound logic that can only be understood by men of science.

E.g. You want to test if a woman is a witch. You burn witches, but you also burn wood. This means witches burn because they are made of wood. Wood also floats in water, just like a duck. So therefore, if she weighs the same as a duck, then she is made out of wood, and is therefore a witch. Now you must weigh her on a set of large scales with a duck, and if they weigh the same, she is guilty of being a witch.
Well, Bernard, that is some Monty Pythonesque application of the principles of logic and etymology right there!
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The Schonfeld Principle 

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When you gamble against what you want to happen so you’re happy either way (essentially hedging your happiness)
“I’m a big Yankee fan but I bet against them today. I’m using The Schonfeld Principle.”
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