nightmare scenario

[Jonathan Lighter]

I've been fretting about these for years. Longer, apparently, than the OED,
which has nothing before 1974.

1971 C. L. Sulzberger in _N.Y. Times_ (Aug. 6) 31: Such is the nightmare
scenario alarming many capitals.

FWIW, it didn't become frequent in the _N.Y. Times_ till 1990.

JL

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