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Definition:
a) an impossible situation, a dilemma
German translation:
das Dilemma, paradoxe Situation
Sample text:
Mr Cowling told BBC News Online that the charter review process had to find an answer to the catch 22 situation in which the BBC constantly finds itself.
"The BBC is criticised if they make programmes that are not popular but are worthy, and it is also criticised if it makes programmes which reach millions of people," he said.
BBC News; http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3067137.stm
Published: 2003/07/15 11:40:34 GMT
Did you know?
catch-22
This interesting phrase is the title of Joseph Heller's 1961 best-selling novel. Catch-22 is the paradox that trapped members of the US military: Anyone who applied to get out of military service on the grounds of insanity was behaving rationally and thus couldn't be insane.
Nowadays, Catch-22 is often used to describe any problematic or unwelcome situation.
I have a nice anecdote about Heller, who recently died. Shortly before his death, Heller met an old friend in London. The friend made the observation "You know Joe, after "Catch 22" you tried, but you never did write a better novel, did you?" To which Heller thoughtfully replied, "You know, that's right. But then again, neither did anyone else!"
Heller's book is an intellectual tour de force, a classic anti-war book and full of ironic humour - highly recommendable, in English or in German.
And now...
Today's Learning Tip (19):
RECORD THE WORDS ON CASSETTE
Make a cassette recording of the words you want to learn and listen to these in your car. Here is a suggested format:
1. speak the German translation (or English definition),
2. PAUSE for 5 seconds (to give you time to answer).
3. speak the word.
more learning tips
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Paul Smith
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