Date:  Sat, 16 Dec 1995 12:46:02 -0400

From:  Barnhart <Barnhart[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]HIGHLANDS.COM>

Subject: Fwd: Re: Murphy's Law



According to Webster's 12,000 Words the origin of Murphy's law is PROBABLY in

the name E.A. Murphy, a 20th Century American engineer.



The first quote for the term in The Third Barnhart Dictionary of New English

is 1958. The first quotation in OEDs is likewise 1958. It suggests that the

term is military jargon. Another quotation suggests that it's origin was in

the ficticious character in educational cartoons produced for the U.S. Navy in

which Murphy was a clumsy mechanic.



Perhaps this term, as with the term jeep, will remain obscure or uncertain.



David K. Barnhart

Barnhart[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]Highlands.com