Good Night nurse

This expression was at first just an elaborate way of saying good night and originated in America during the First World War. During the war, so many US soldiers underwent hospitalisation through wounds or sickness that the expression caught on. During World War II, the expression was probably revived. In more recent times, the meaning evolved and has come to mean a final or calamitous end to any endeavour, indicating that it is all over e.g. in a sporting contest, where a commentator was heard to say recently, “One more score against us and it will be good night nurse”. See also Good Night Irene.