conundrum (noun) - a riddle or dilemma that is challenging, confusing, or hard to solve; an enigma or mystery [kuh-nuhn-druhm]
BREAKDOWN: The origin of the word conundrum is a bit of an enigma itself. That it sprung up during the late 16th century is widely accepted. Its origins, though, are murky at best. Some surmise an awkward conglomeration of Latin or Greek roots, especially because of early variations like quonundrum, quadundrum, and conuncrum. Another variant, conimbrum, suggests a connection to the Conimbricenses, the 16th-century Jesuit commentaries on Aristotle from Coimbra, Portugal, known for elaborate wordplay and multiple word meanings.
See also: enigmatic
“What is our human dilemma? That the nature of life is problematic. Problems are not an exception; they are the norm. The world offers recurring and seemingly endless conundrums for us to deal with. We cannot stop problems, but we can end our suffering, and we can achieve true, lasting happiness by understanding the nature of our mind and changing the way we approach our emotional struggles.” —Karuna Cayton
[Our Wednesday Wildcards are fascinating and important words that are not necessarily derived from classical roots.]