Oooops! Well, it could happen to anyone!
So, imagine that your plane crashes into a busy city suburb, killing all 153 people on board, and an unknown number on the ground. How would you describe this?
Tragedy
is such an over-used word, having been relegated by sports pundits to describing unexpected soccer defeats. Or, possibly, a Spice Girls reunion tour.
Disaster
is an excellent choice, as is catastrophe
. Calamity
isn't terrible, but perhaps a little weak.
Or how about mishap
?
NO! NO! NO!
A mishap
is when you spill your cup of tea, or your four-year old child pisses themself.
A mishap is NOT WHEN 153 OR MORE PEOPLE DIE, POTENTIALLY BECAUSE OF YOUR FAULTY AIRCRAFT MAINTENENCE. YOU. FUCKING. IMBECILES! (mad)