The news that 40% of the world’s oceans have been heavily affected by pollution has been headlined (predictably enough) as a ‘wake-up call’.
This over-worked phrase has shifted slightly since it first surfaced in 1976 to describe placing a request with the hotel front desk to receive a call the next morning. In its original sense, a wake-up call wouldn’t be unexpected and wouldn’t be news.
'Wake-up call' joins 'saving the planet' as one to avoid.
Country diary: I’ve become a taxi service for the ladybirds | Charlie Elder
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*West Dartmoor, Devon:* They must have got into my house last autumn, and
now they’re emerging in a wonderful variety of markings and spot numbers
Ladybi...
18 minutes ago
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