[Ads-l] ANTEDATING OF "SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY"

[Shapiro, Fred]

self-fulfilling prophecy (OED 1949)

1842 _Provincial Medical Journal_ 29 Oct. 84 (JSTOR)  Thus, suppose a case where there was a strong probability that death would ensue, were we to announce that probability in the patient's hearing, the effect produced on his mind may convert probability into reality; the teacher's words may become a self-fulfilling prophecy, and he become the agent of the patient's death.

Fred Shapiro

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