The phrase originated in an interview conducted by James Naughtie on BBC Radio 4's "Today" Programme on 11 February 1991. British Rail's Director of Operations, Terry Worrall, was asked to comment on the adverse effects of the unusually heavy 1991 snowfall on railway services that winter. Worrall explained that "we are having particular problems with the type of snow, which is rare in the UK". Naughtie replied "Oh, I see, it was the wrong kind of snow," to which Worrall replied, "No, it was a different kind of snow". The exchange prompted a headline in the London "Evening Standard" saying "British Rail blames the wrong type of snow" which was swiftly taken up by the media and other papers.