Have you ever been in a catch-22 situation?

Today’s English
May 21st, 2017

A Catch-22 situation refers to a situation in which you cannot escape from the two unpleasant choices left for you. You need to do the first before doing the second and you cannot do the first without doing the second.  For example, if you want to do B.Ed. through correspondence course, you should be a teacher working at a school with minimum two years of experience but to start to work as a teacher, you need B.Ed. Similarly to get a job in some companies, you need minimum two years of working experience but to gain experience, you need to get a job first.  This is what we say “a catch-22 situation”.

Why the name catch-22? Catch-22 is actually a U.S. novel written by Joseph Heller published in 1961 and filmed in 1970.  The hero in this novel is a air force pilot during World War II. He dislikes war and tries at his best to avoid flying. This comic situation in the novel has given birth to “catch-22 “ expression.

1. Girl: My God! My mobile balance is zero. To make a recharge, I should call him now. To make a call, I need balance. It’s really a catch-22 situation.
2. Driving licence can be used as an address proof. But to get driving licence, you need an address proof. It’s a catch-22 situation.

If you are left with two unpleasant choices and you don’t like both, you can try the English expression – between the devil and the deep blue sea.
1. I received a call letter only from these two worthless companies. I’m now jus between the devil and the deep blue sea.
2. Gotta admission in IIT? No, only these colleges have called me. I’m in between the devil and the deep blue sea.
3. How is your married life? I'm in between the devil and the deep blue sea.

If you ever choose the best one among the others of less importance and value, then, it means that you have made a cherry-pick.

1. How is my mobile? It’s really a cherry-pick.
2. All blue chip companies generally cherry-pick at the time of campus interview. (=choose only the best candidates)
3. He has always been a cherry-picker while shopping.

“Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely.”
- Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart