Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993.
chain reaction (n.)
A chain reaction is “a series of events, each of which is caused by the one that precedes it,” and some commentators argue that the term should not be used figuratively to refer to a group of sequential but unrelated events. Such figurative uses are of course not dangerous, and this one is Standard English, but in writing you would do well to remember that some of your readers may prefer and still others may demand precision.
