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
A requirement that cannot be met until a prerequisite requirement is met, however, the prerequisite cannot be obtained until the original requirement is met.
by Catch 22 June 04, 2003
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
(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.
(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 July 22, 2008
by AndrewFromSouthJersey November 30, 2004
A situation in which a desired outcome or solution is impossible to attain because of a set of inherently illogical rules
The following is a rather common Catch 22,
Conservatives usually claim one of two things about liberals:
1) They're so open-minded their brains have fallen out
2) They're close-minded hypocrites who are only tolerant of opinions they agree with.
Clearly, these two points of view cannot be reconciled. Therefore I've dubbed it the Anti-Liberal Catch-22.
I mean, which one is it then? Overly open minded idiots or closed-minded hypocrites?
Make up your minds, conservatives!
Conservatives usually claim one of two things about liberals:
1) They're so open-minded their brains have fallen out
2) They're close-minded hypocrites who are only tolerant of opinions they agree with.
Clearly, these two points of view cannot be reconciled. Therefore I've dubbed it the Anti-Liberal Catch-22.
I mean, which one is it then? Overly open minded idiots or closed-minded hypocrites?
Make up your minds, conservatives!
by Submitters of Words June 23, 2011
Guy1: I want to get out of this what do i need to do?
Guy2: You have to be mentally ill.
Guy1: I'm mentally ill, take me off!
Guy2: Your clearly not because you want off.
Guy1: Well Guy3 is clearly mentally ill, will you take him off?
Guy2: Yep but he has to ask me but that would mean that he's not mentally ill.
Guy1: Its a Catch 22!
Guy2: Exactly.
Guy2: You have to be mentally ill.
Guy1: I'm mentally ill, take me off!
Guy2: Your clearly not because you want off.
Guy1: Well Guy3 is clearly mentally ill, will you take him off?
Guy2: Yep but he has to ask me but that would mean that he's not mentally ill.
Guy1: Its a Catch 22!
Guy2: Exactly.
by V The Trap November 11, 2020
A pretty good ska band back in 1998. Then guitarist/singer Tomas Kalnoky and bassist Josh Ansley and trumpeter/trombonist Jamie Egan left to start another band called Streetlight Manifesto, who are now awesome. Catch 22, on the other hand, shifted new band members and now sucks.
by Max January 23, 2004