Failure

Failure

Army Bomb Plot

attempted assassination of Hitler; his miraculous escape brought dreadful retaliation (1944). [Ger. Hist.: Van Doren, 500]

Brown, Charlie

comic strip character for whom losing is a way of life. [Comics: “Peanuts” in Horn, 542–543]

Bunion Derby

financially disastrous cross-country marathon. [Am. Hist.: Sann, 48–56]

Carker, John

broken-spirited man occupying subordinate position. [Br. Lit.: Dombey and Son]

Edsel

much bruited automobile fails on market (1950s). [Am. Hist.: Flexner, 78]

English, Julian

contentious and unloved salesman; commits suicide in despair. [Am. Lit.: Appointment in Samarra]

Gunpowder Plot

attempt to blow up the Parliament building; led to the execution of its leader, Guy Fawkes (1605). [Brit. Hist.: EB, IV: 70–71]

Little Tramp Chaplin’s

much-loved, much-imitated hapless, “I’m a failure” persona. [Am. Cinema: Griffith, 79]

Loman, Willy

traveling salesman who gradually comes to realize that his life has been a complete failure; commits suicide. [Am. Lit.: The Death of a Salesman, Payton, 397]

Mighty Casey

ignominiously strikes out in the clutch. [Am. Lit.: “Casey at the Bat” in Turkin, 642]

Reardon, Edwin

very promising writer who, after unsuccessful publication, returns to clerical job. [Br. Lit.: New Grub Street, Magill I, 647–649]

Skid Row

district of down-and-outs and bums. [Am. Usage: Brewer Dictionary, 1008]

WIN buttons

President Ford’s scheme to reduce inflation: for the American public to wear shields stating “WIN.” (Whip Inflation Now). [Am. Hist.: Misc.]

World League

“ingenious” creation of a third professional league that never materialized. [Am. Sports: Misc.]

Yank

steamship stoker vainly tries to climb the social ladder, then fails in attempt to avenge himself on society. [Am. Drama: O’Neill The Hairy Ape in Sobel, 339]

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failure - The inability of a system or system component to perform a required function within specified limits. A failure may be produced when a fault is encountered.