train wreck n. a disaster or failure, especially one that is unstoppable or unavoidable; a disorganized, problematic, or chaotic person or thing; an incongruous situation. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Centuries ago, monks who took a vow of silence developed their own hand signs, with hundreds of gestures, that are still in use today. Plus, how do speakers of different languages distinguish similar shades and tints of colors such as red, yellow...
Diamond dust, tapioca snow, and sugar icebergs — a 1955 glossary of arctic and subarctic terms describes the environment in ways that sound poetic. And a mom says her son is dating someone who’s non-binary. She supports their relationship, but...
To “a disaster or failure” I would add, “especially one that, though foreseen, is difficult or impossible to avert.”
The second definition, above, relating to a person, was used in a recent episode of Mad Men. I was curious if this usage was around in the early 60s. I don’t recall the first time I heard it, but it seems more recent. Anyone know?