Pet Peeve # 12
Apr. 21st, 2004 07:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
fredericks(Courtesy of Webster's Online Dictionary)
Main Entry: catch-22
Pronunciation: -"twen-tE-'tü
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural catch-22's or catch-22s
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: from Catch-22, paradoxical rule in the novel Catch-22 (1961) by Joseph Heller
1 : a problematic situation for which the only solution is denied by a circumstance inherent in the problem or by a rule
[Error: Irreparable invalid markup ('<the [...] agent,>') in entry. Owner must fix manually. Raw contents below.]
(Courtesy of <a href="http://www.webster.com">Webster's Online Dictionary</a>)
<blockquote><i><b>Main Entry: catch-22</b>
Pronunciation: -"twen-tE-'tü
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural catch-22's or catch-22s
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: from Catch-22, paradoxical rule in the novel Catch-22 (1961) by Joseph Heller
1 : a problematic situation for which the only solution is denied by a circumstance inherent in the problem or by a rule <the show-business catch-22--no work unless you have an agent, no agent unless you've worked -- Mary Murphy>; also : the circumstance or rule that denies a solution
2 a : an illogical, unreasonable, or senseless situation b : a measure or policy whose effect is the opposite of what was intended c : a situation presenting two equally undesirable alternatives
3 : a hidden difficulty or means of entrapment :
</i></blockquote>
I've noticed more and more people using the term Catch-22. 80% of the time they're using it while talking to me, 60% of those times they're irate customers arguing against some policy I'm trying to enforce, and 99% of the time they're using it incorrectly. What, is it hip to throw the phrase around now? I feel like carrying Heller's book around in my pocket and smacking the offenders with it.
<blockquote><i><b>Main Entry: catch-22</b>
Pronunciation: -"twen-tE-'tü
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural catch-22's or catch-22s
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: from Catch-22, paradoxical rule in the novel Catch-22 (1961) by Joseph Heller
1 : a problematic situation for which the only solution is denied by a circumstance inherent in the problem or by a rule <the show-business catch-22--no work unless you have an agent, no agent unless you've worked -- Mary Murphy>; also : the circumstance or rule that denies a solution
2 a : an illogical, unreasonable, or senseless situation b : a measure or policy whose effect is the opposite of what was intended c : a situation presenting two equally undesirable alternatives
3 : a hidden difficulty or means of entrapment :
</i></blockquote>
I've noticed more and more people using the term Catch-22. 80% of the time they're using it while talking to me, 60% of those times they're irate customers arguing against some policy I'm trying to enforce, and 99% of the time they're using it incorrectly. What, is it hip to throw the phrase around now? I feel like carrying Heller's book around in my pocket and smacking the offenders with it.
