Encyclopedia.com > Dictionaries, Thesauruses, Pictures, and Press Releases > The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable > January 2006

anything can go wrong, it will, if

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | 369 words | Copyright

anything can go wrong, it will, if modern saying, commonly referred to as Murphy's law, with numerous variations. It is said to have been coined in 1949 by George Nichols, project manager working in California for the American firm of Northrop, who developed the maxim from a remark made by a colleague, Captain E. Murphy, of the Wright Field Aircraft Laboratory.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "anything can go wrong, it will, if." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "anything can go wrong, it will, if." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-anythingcangowrongitwillf.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "anything can go wrong, it will, if." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-anythingcangowrongitwillf.html

Learn more about citation styles

Find thousands of answers for hundreds of subjects at Answers Encyclopedia .

All answers verified by trusted sources at Encyclopedia.com

Try Answers Encyclopedia now!

For students and teachers!

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including:

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including: