"dirty war"

[Jonathan Lighter]

Somewhat earlier. Note context:

  1967 U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Cmte. _Harrison E. Salisbury's Trip to North Vietnam: Hearing ... 90-1_ (Feb. 2, 1967) 74: _ [Gen.] Earle G. Wheeler, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, referred to the conflict as a "dirty little war." While the Vietnam conflict may be even dirtier now than it was in 1963, it can no longer be termed little.

  And earlier still:

  1965 _Saturday Eve. Post_  10: There were few formal battles or engagements [in the Korean War]. It was a dirty little war, and the worst part of it was the feeling that no one really cared.

  1952 _Time_ (Jan. 21) [Time.com]: When, in December 1950, De Lattre was called upon to redeem French honor in the jungles of Indo-China, few Frenchmen had much faith in the "dirty little war."

  And how 'bout ministers pledging a "dirty war" for a "clean city"?:

  1946 _N.Y. Times_ (Nov. 11) 28: Ohio Town Pledges "Dirty War" on Crime...The Steubenville Ministerial Association oday declared "war, a dirty war, to the hilt" against political corruption, crime and vice in this steel town at a rally of the "Citizens' Committee for a Clean City," attended by 1,600.

  "Ruthlessness" seems to be the key factor.

  JL


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