Quoting from the Grauniad:
Barack Obama pledged US assistance following what he called a potentially “catastrophic” disaster.
What on earth is a potentially catastrophic disaster? What does this language mean? Is there a functioning brain behind that utterance?
Ten thousand people missing, towns washed away and nuclear reactors in meltdown: what is potential about this? And what is the difference between catastrophe, disaster, and catastophic disaster?
Magazine editor, writer of fiction and non-fiction; exile; cat person; red wine for blood and cheese in his soul. Chris Page is the author of the novels Weed, Sanctioned, Another Perfect Day in ****ing Paradise, King of the Undies World, and The Underpants Tree. He is also a freelance journalist, copywriter, editor, cartoonist, illustrator, graphic designer, and consultant in the use and abuse of false moustaches (don’t wear them — you’re welcome — the invoice is in the mail).