"situation"

[Jonathan Lighter]

"Situation" is frequently used rather evasively or euphemistically to mean "a problematic situation; problem."  The earliest example I have encountered is in the film, "Best Foot Forward" (1943), screenplay by Irving Brecher, Fred F. Finklehoffe, and John Cecil Holm:

"Don't they have girls here [at a military academy]?" "No. They say it creates situations."

The film is based on a play by Holm, so the usage may appear there as well.

JL


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