Debt Rattle August 20 2015

The electric locomotive reminded me of a random brain jog the other day – I’m wondering why the phrase “Greek third bailout” is not more commonly transmogrified into “Greek third rail…” in? hit? touch? event? disaster? – lots of modifiers would sort of work, for amusement and truth-telling purposes.

For those not familiar with American slang, “touching the third rail” is slang for instant death; particularly political. In many electric rail systems, there is a “third rail” – which is the primary carrier of the current that powers the locomotive; touching it in any way that allows current flow will electrocute you instantly. Third rail is also a figurative way to express the presence of an extreme danger, with no safety features.