I don't approve of this phrase. I imagine that it was spawned by headline writers: it saves two letters where space is short. Other usage is simply sloppy.
How would you interpret air strike and wildcat strike? General strike is presumably a matter for the military. If employees at an electricity company refused to work, would that be a lightning strike?
What if Gillian McKeith decided to withhold her latest manuscript (*cough*) in the hope of negotiating for increased royalties? I guess that would be a hunger strike?
OK, I'll stop now.
How would you interpret air strike and wildcat strike? General strike is presumably a matter for the military. If employees at an electricity company refused to work, would that be a lightning strike?
What if Gillian McKeith decided to withhold her latest manuscript (*cough*) in the hope of negotiating for increased royalties? I guess that would be a hunger strike?
OK, I'll stop now.
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