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catch-22
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catch-22

linguistic expression
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Quick Summary

"Catch-22" is a linguistic expression originating from Joseph Heller's satirical novel of the same name. The term describes a paradoxical and illogical situation where the solution to a problem is impossible due to the problem's inherent rules or circumstances.123

In the novel, this "catch" refers to a military regulation stating that a pilot is considered insane if they willingly fly dangerous missions. However, if a pilot requests to be grounded due to insanity, the act of making the request proves their sanity, making them ineligible to be relieved of duty. This creates an inescapable paradox.12

The phrase has entered general English to denote any situation with a no-win scenario, a hidden difficulty, or a choice between two equally undesirable outcomes.34

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