Christopher Smith wrote:
While I easily found dictionary entries for "wreak havoc", "play
havoc" and "cry havoc", I didn't find one for "wreck havoc." In fact,
given the definition of havoc (mayhem, destruction, etc.) the
expression "wreck havoc" doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
Do you have any citations?
Google hits:
93 hits for <+"wrecked havoc" +etymology>
203 hits for <+"wreaked havoc" +etymology>
1220 hits for <+"wrought havoc" + etymology>
However, at <http://www.takeourword.com/Issue048.html>, Agatha Christie
is credited with first use of "wreaked havoc" in 1923; credit for first
published use of "wrought havoc" is given to Washington Post, in 1978.
ns
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