Reverse McCoy
When someone is in a discussion regarding medical jargon/processes but is not a medical professional themselves and thus makes a clarifying statement that they are "*insert profession*, not a doctor". A reference to Star Trek: The Original Series, where, in Season 1, Episode 25 (The Devil In The Dark), the Enterprise's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy, makes the statement of "I'm a doctor, not a bricklayer". Variations of the statement are then used numerous times throughout the series.
Person 1: "What's the fastest way to get rid of kidney stones?"
Person 2: "I don't know. I'm a journalist, not a doctor."
Person 1: "Ah. The old 'Reverse McCoy'."
Person 2: "I don't know. I'm a journalist, not a doctor."
Person 1: "Ah. The old 'Reverse McCoy'."
Reverse McCoy by denshanosenshi April 16, 2026
Get the Reverse McCoy mug.