|
REEKING HAVOC |
 |
WREAKING HAVOC |
The verb "wreak" and its relatives ("wrought" and "wright") have almost died out in English, so it is not surprising that many folks don't know what to make of this expression when they hear it. "Reeking" means "smelling strongly," so that can't be right. The phrase simply means "creating great destruction." "Havoc" has always referred to general destruction in English, but one very old phrase incorporating the word was "cry havoc," which meant to give an army the signal for pillage. To "play havoc with" means the same thing as to "wreak havoc."