What's That You Said

Using the right word at the right time can sometimes be crucial.
Here are 5 words about contradictions that can be misused:

1. CATCH-22 (n.): a frustrating situation in which one is trapped by contradictory regulations or conditions. Example: A woman's child is being beaten by her father. If she reports it to the authority she is at risk of losing her child, but if she doesn't report it, the child will continue to be beaten. Its a lose-lose situation.

2. CONTRADICTION (n.): assertion of the contrary or opposite; denial. Example: I hate cats but like kittens" is a contradiction, because kittens ARE cats.

3. OXYMORON (n.): a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect. Examples: working holiday; exact estimate; original copies.

4. PARADOX (n.): a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth. Example: When someone says to you, "I'm a compulsive liar," do you believe them or not.

5. PLEONASM (n.): the use of more words than are necessary to express an idea; redundancy. Examples: Ears pierced while you wait; It's déjà vu all over again.