Changes

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

[Origin lost: in 1645 (sense 3) referred to as an Oxford term; possibly originating in some university joke, or as a parody of some Latin term of the schools, which would agree with its unfixed form in 17-18th c. It is doubtful whether Nash's use (sense 1) is the original.]  

[[Origin]] lost: in 1645 (sense 3) referred to as an Oxford term; possibly originating in some university joke, or as a [[parody]] of some [[Latin]] term of the schools, which would agree with its unfixed form in 17-18th c. It is doubtful whether Nash's use (sense 1) is the original.]  

==Definition==

==Definition==

*1. Applied abusively to a person. (? Pedant, crotchet-monger, or ninny.) Obs.

*1. Applied [[abuse|abusively]] to a [[person]]. (? Pedant, crotchet-monger, or ninny.) Obs.

*2. A whim, crotchet, maggot, conceit. Obs.

*2. A whim, crotchet, maggot, conceit. Obs.

*3. A pun or word-play depending on similarity of sound in words of different meaning. Obs.

*3. A pun or [[word]]-play depending on similarity of [[sound]] in words of different [[meaning]]. Obs.

*4. A riddle in the form of a question the answer to which involves a pun or play on words: called in 1769 conundrumical question.    b. Any puzzling question or problem; an enigmatical statement.

*4. A [[riddle]] in the form of a question the answer to which involves a pun or play on words: called in 1769 conundrumical question.    b. Any puzzling question or problem; an [[enigma]]tical statement.

*5. A thing that one is puzzled to name, a ‘what-d'ye-call-it’. rare.

*5. A [[thing]] that one is puzzled to name, a ‘what-d'ye-call-it’. rare.

*6. Comb., as conundrum-game, -making, -monger (see prec. 4), -party.

*6. Comb., as conundrum-[[game]], -making, -monger (see prec. 4), -party.

Hence, conundrumed, grown crotchety, slightly crazed; conundrumical a., whimsical, fantastic, crotchety; also, of the nature of a conundrum (sense 4); conundrumize v. intr., to make conundrums

Hence, conundrumed, grown crotchety, slightly crazed; conundrumical a., whimsical, fantastic, crotchety; also, of the [[nature]] of a conundrum (sense 4); conundrumize v. intr., to make conundrums

==Description==

==Description==

'''Conundrums''' are problems of several types. They may be riddles with a pun for an answer. They may be puzzling problems that are complicated with intricate [[features]]. And they may be presented in the [[fashion]] of a rhetorical question, but with only conjecture for an answer.

'''Conundrums''' are problems of several types. They may be riddles with a pun for an answer. They may be puzzling problems that are complicated with intricate [[features]]. And they may be presented in the [[fashion]] of a rhetorical question, but with only conjecture for an answer.

Conundrums create paralyzing [[paradoxe]]s or [[dilemma]]s. Psychologically, they are similar to approach-approach conflicts, such as a conflict known as Buridan’s ass, which was posed by fourteenth-century philosopher Jean Buridan. An ass forced to choose between two equally luscious piles of hay that are equidistant starves to death. This is similar to the Malthusian dilemma, which states that helping the poor (humanitarian) may be increasing starvation (inhuman) when food supplies grow arithmetically while population grows geometrically.

Conundrums create paralyzing [[paradox]]es or [[dilemma]]s. Psychologically, they are similar to approach-approach conflicts, such as a conflict known as Buridan’s ass, which was posed by fourteenth-century philosopher Jean Buridan. An ass forced to choose between two equally luscious piles of hay that are equidistant starves to death. This is similar to the Malthusian dilemma, which states that helping the poor (humanitarian) may be increasing starvation (inhuman) when food supplies grow arithmetically while population grows geometrically.

The word conundrum is often used cynically to describe a puzzle that will probably never be solved because of a lack of [[data]]. The word conundrum is also used to describe a paradoxically difficult problem, such as the problem faced by economists in the second half of the twentieth century of how to achieve full employment without inflation.

The word conundrum is often used cynically to describe a puzzle that will probably never be solved because of a lack of [[data]]. The word conundrum is also used to describe a paradoxically difficult problem, such as the problem faced by economists in the second half of the twentieth century of how to achieve full employment without inflation.

In the conundrums faced by political and economic decision-makers, the “play” aspect of conundrums suggests that game theories may help with solutions. Presumptions are abandoned and solutions are sought freely.

In the conundrums faced by political and economic decision-makers, the “play” aspect of conundrums suggests that game theories may help with solutions. Presumptions are abandoned and solutions are sought freely.

==Bibliography==

==Bibliography==