Catch 22

Also known as a vicious cycle - two or more conditions require the other conditions to be fulfilled, but these other conditions also require the original condition to be fulfilled. In simple terms, this means neither can get fulfilled without the other. A needs B needs A.

So I need a key to open this door, and the key is beyond that same door? Damn, this is one big Catch 22.

by Fluid August 27, 2003

Catch 22

A requirement that cannot be met until a prerequisite requirement is met, however, the prerequisite cannot be obtained until the original requirement is met.

My life is one big Catch 22

by Catch 22 June 4, 2003

catch 22

A no-win dilemma or paradox, similar to damned if I do, damned if I don't.

A situation or predicament characterized by absurdity or senselessness.

by you think? March 19, 2005

catch 22

quite the predicament, where objective 1 cannot be obtained without the completion of objective 2, which cannot be obtained without objective 1, because of a set of often incoherent rules or laws

a catch 22:

what would happen if you went back in time to kill your grandfather?

if you were to do so, logic would state that you would not exist to go back in time and kill your grandfather, therefore you would exist because you would not be able to kill him, however you would exist only to kill your grandfather, in which case you would not exist

by CSS December 28, 2005

catch 22

NO LICENSE===NO CAR===NO MONEY===YOU DON'T PAY FINES====YOU DON'T GET YOUR LICENSE BACK====NO LICENSE====NO MONEY=======...............and it goes on and on and on.

CATCH 22.

in New Jersey, DUI laws are like catch 22. They suspend your license after DUI and you have to pay around $4000 in fine. " Without license it's hard to make money, go to job, go to school. If you don't make money, how you gonna pay those big fines? So it's like this-----NO LICENSE===NO CAR===NO MONEY===YOU DON'T PAY FINES====YOU DON'T GET YOUR LICENSE BACK====NO LICENSE====NO MONEY=======...............and it goes on and on and on.

CATCH 22.

And New Jersey state doesn't allow Limited driving license for work or school after DUI.

by friend of a victim. March 25, 2010

Catch 22

Illogical, but none the less trapping, set of contradictions.
(Often a commentary on bureaucracy. From Joseph Heller's Book of the same name.)

anything to do with Mads

Here are some more good examples of a Catch 22:
(To add to the ones other people have added).

A company won't hire you without experience in the field. But you can't get experience in the field if you won't be hired.

or
: You can't get to work without getting your car fixed and because can't get to work you can't make money and can't fix your car.

EDIT: And a catch-22 does NOT mean a choice with only undesirable outcomes. That's "being in a bind,". It more like "being between a rock and hard place". Nothing you can do about it. No choice, not even bad choices. Totally Stuck.

Hey Mads, thought you might look here :).
This word definitely applies to most things to do with you.

by trwood August 15, 2008

Catch 22

New Jersey based third wave ska. Awesome.

"Catch 22 is one of the most successful NJ ska punk combos to date."

by AndrewFromSouthJersey November 29, 2004