dread merchant
A person who makes a living by predicting disasters and worst-case scenarios.
Guy1: What's the news, man?
Guy2: Bird Flu, terrorists, hurricanes, global warming, the price of gasoline and natural gas and electricity skyrocketing, death toll in Iraq . . .
Guy1: Boy, the dread merchants are busy lately!
Guy2: Bird Flu, terrorists, hurricanes, global warming, the price of gasoline and natural gas and electricity skyrocketing, death toll in Iraq . . .
Guy1: Boy, the dread merchants are busy lately!