catch-22s
No-win logical traps
Catch-22s is the plural of catch-22, a no-win situation where contradictory rules or conditions make success impossible.
The term comes from Joseph Heller's 1961 novel, where a pilot could only be grounded for insanity, but requesting to be grounded proved sanity: The application process is full of catch-22s—you need experience to get hired, but you can't get experience without being hired.
Difficult choices between alternatives
- no-win situationsCircumstances guaranteeing failure
- double bindsInescapable contradictory demands
- contradictionsLogically incompatible assertions
- impossibilitiesThings that cannot exist
predicaments · conundrums · vicious circles · impasses · stalemates · deadlocks · quandaries · absurdities
Bureaucratic obstacles to action
- regulationsEnforced rules and standards
- loopholesExploitable ambiguities in rules
- paperworkAdministrative written tasks
- fine printMiniature contractual text
Mockery exposing vice
- World War IISecond global military conflict
- bombardierPlane's payload releaser
- dark comedyComedy treating grim topics lightly
- anti-warOpposed to armed conflict
insanity plea · army regulations · black humor · American novel · Snowden · postmodern fiction
dilemmas
Difficult choices between alternatives
- no-win situationsCircumstances guaranteeing failure
- double bindsInescapable contradictory demands
- contradictionsLogically incompatible assertions
impossibilities · predicaments · conundrums · vicious circles · impasses · stalemates · deadlocks · quandaries · absurdities · circular reasoning
red tape
Bureaucratic obstacles to action
- regulationsEnforced rules and standards
- loopholesExploitable ambiguities in rules
- paperworkAdministrative written tasks
satire
Mockery exposing vice
- World War IISecond global military conflict
- bombardierPlane's payload releaser
- dark comedyComedy treating grim topics lightly
anti-war · insanity plea · army regulations · black humor · American novel · Snowden · postmodern fiction
catch-22sbest of both worlds
Having two advantages simultaneously
open doors · escape routes · ways out · flexibility · silver linings
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