Words Origin CategoryArts & Literature

The Etymology of “Catch-22”: The Fascinating Story Behind This Word

September 13, 2026 | | Bella Sungkawa

Catch‑22 comes from Joseph Heller’s 1961 novel of the same name. The term describes a paradoxical rule that traps a person in a no‑win situation, famously illustrated by a bomber crew’s impossible regulation. It entered English slang in the 1960s and is now a common idiom for any self‑defeating logic.

Where Does “Tragedy” Come From? The Mystery of the Goat Song

June 22, 2026 | | Bella Sungkawa

“Tragedy” comes from ancient Greek tragodia — a compound of tragos (goat) and ode (song) — literally “goat song.” Why a goat? Several theories exist: a goat was the prize in early dramatic competitions; actors wore goat-skin costumes; the chorus performed at a ceremony involving a goat sacrifice. The precise reason is debated, but the word is one of the most richly mysterious etymologies in the arts.