The phrase "What can go wrong will go wrong" is commonly known as Murphy's Law. It is an adage or epigram that suggests that if something has the potential to go wrong, it inevitably will at some point. This expression serves as a reminder that problems and unexpected mishaps are always possible, especially in complex or uncertain situations. Murphy's Law originated in the 1940s and is attributed to Edward A. Murphy Jr., an American aerospace engineer. According to one origin story, during a test involving rocket sleds, a technician made a wiring mistake that led Murphy to say, "If there is any way to do it wrong, someone will." The broader statement became popularized through public mentions by project head John Stapp, who emphasized preparing for all possible failures. The law is often cited to encourage thorough preparation and caution, implying that since things can go wrong, one should anticipate problems and plan accordingly. Variations of this law also exist, such as:
- If something can go wrong, it will go wrong at the worst possible time.
- The more complex a system, the greater the chance something will fail.
- Solutions themselves can create new problems.
Despite its pessimistic tone, Murphy's Law can be seen as a practical guideline for risk management and resilience in engineering, planning, and everyday life. In summary, "What can go wrong will go wrong" means that in any endeavor or situation, you should expect issues to arise and be prepared for them, as it is almost inevitable that somewhere in the process something might fail or not go as planned. This concept is widely used in various fields to emphasize preparedness and caution.
