Peanut Gallery — In Harm’s Way

It’s certainly become the catch phrase of choice for any remotely untoward event. It’s not only in stories, it’s the name of stories (and video games and TV specials) concerning everything from Star Trek to heroin use. The first time I remember seeing it used was in that John Wayne movie title. I think Otto Preminger directed “In Harms Way” around 1965.

What’s really sad is how a certain phrase will bubble up and for whatever reason everyone gloms onto it— proving we are getting the 7 second sound bite marketized version of the news.

I’ll keep thinking about other earlier uses. It would be interesting to know who dug it up in the past several years and in what context. I’m always curious how something spreads like this.

I’m about Harms Waylayed to death…

John Rook