After weeks of stories and blog accounts confirming the Omen had emerged, tripping its signals, some columnists this week question whether that was actually true or even whether, if true, those signals added up to something dire.

FORBES: Mixed Signals And The Hindenburg Omen

In a sort of soundtrack to the 22nd century, he issues a dire warning that something in the future will look a lot like something happening right now, only much worse.

NPR: Giving the 22nd Century a Soundtrack

There was a dire need to "do something" and so a huge clean up operation began including widespread use of detergents.

BBC: Torrey Canyon seabed returns to normal after oil spill

"It's a dire situation and we have to do something about it, " Baroness Amos told the BBC.

BBC: Burma camp for Rohingyas 'dire' - Valerie Amos

Bonds are the only thing keeping investment banks afloat right now: sluggish economies and dire stockmarkets have increased the attractiveness of something that pays a fixed rate of interest.

ECONOMIST: Financial services

"In my experience, when there's a whole lot of anxiety about something that might affect production, the predictions turn out to be a whole lot more dire than what turns out to be the reality, " says Hines.

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