Olfie is a term that I picked up from the Congenital Anosmia Forums. I have no idea who coined the term or when it came into use by fellow anosmics, but “Olfie” refers to a person whose olfaction (a.k.a the ability to smell; one’s sense of smell) remains untrammeled. In other words, an olfie is someone who can smell everything just fine. The term is used to distinguish myself (an anosmic; someone who cannot smell) from other more “regular” or “normal” people (people who can smell).

I find the term “olfie” amusing, and mean no disrespect by using such a term. Who knows, maybe the use of the term itself is just another example of “othering”;but I’d prefer to think of it as a linguistically simpler way of expressing “someone who can smell just fine.” It’s a matter of using just one word versus using many. I choose to use one word.

What’s the harm in that?