And how serious is the threat of a recession, or something worse?

Not the worst recession, mind you, just a normal one.

Households had experienced a small increase even in 1974, during the worst recession since the 1930's.

Two years after the worst recession most of us have ever known, the stock market has come roaring back.

Such an action could produce a recession much worse than the present one.

For a city hit by an oil slump and its worst recession since the 1940's, the Games will be a financial shot in the arm.

In 1974, a particularly bad recession almost broke the company.

Before 1973, 6 percent was a pretty bad recession.

But then we're in the middle of a very bad recession.

Above all, both countries are facing their worst recessions for many years.