the abbreviated reign of “neon” leon spinks

BEWARE THE PROFITING PROPHET 205
the ominous date. One possible explanation, the researchers concluded,
was that “participants may have reported not being concerned about Y2K
to avoid appearing foolish.”
FROM CHAOS TO CLICHÉ
In December 2000, Yankelovich Partners surveyed one thousand
Americans to learn what phrases “made them want to crunch something,”
as part of a promotion for the Snickers candy bar. The top ten answers,
which scored too closely together to be listed in order, included “Y2K
bug,” “the millennium,” and “The world is coming to an end.” (Other
irritating clichés that made the list: “Who let the dogs out?” “Is that your
final answer?” and “Who won the election?”)