Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic

[D. Michael Heywood]

What was the first recorded use of this aphorism meaning senseless
activity in the face of disaster?

[JNugent231]

>From: "D. Michael Heywood" <mike...@teleport.com>

>What was the first recorded use of this aphorism meaning senseless
>activity in the face of disaster?
>
>

I first heard it in early 1983 (I can remember the circumstances very well). I
too would love to know the first recorded use.....

[John Holmes]

JNugent231 wrote in message
<199805242332...@ladder01.news.aol.com>...

I remember hearing it in the early 1970s. I would guess it comes from a
political speech or article, perhaps some time in the 60s or even
earlier.

Regards,
John.
hol...@smart.net.au
email copies of any replies would be appreciated.

[John Holmes]

Greg Resch wrote in message ...

>"D. Michael Heywood" <mike...@teleport.com> writes:
> > What was the first recorded use of this aphorism meaning senseless
> > activity in the face of disaster?
>

>Here is the Official Answer. (Disregard any conflicting information
you
>may receive; I was there.)
>
>Frank Zarb coined the phrase in the summer of 1976
[snip]

He may well have used the phrase as you describe, but he certainly
didn't coin it then. It was a popular expression at least a few years