What is the origin of the term "catch 22"?

Question

What is the origin of the term "catch 22"?

Answer 1

Catch-22 is a military term that is confusing and difficult to describe. In short, its basic meaning is that if there was a rule, no matter what the rule is, there is always an exception to it. It is a mysterious regulation that is in essence a circular argument.

It was a theme of a Joseph Heller book of the same name.  Heller created the military term for his novel, and it quickly became commonly used to describe a hopeless situation.

Answer 2

A "Catch 22 situation" is one in which: no matter which way you go, there is an undesired result or outcome. A perfect example, would be that to find out about an afterlife, you would need to die. Therefore, you either cannot find out, or you have to die to find out.

The term Catch 22 comes from the title of a book by Joseph Heller. It was an interesting (although not easy) read.

Answer 3

Meaning

A paradox in which the attempt to escape makes escape impossible. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.

To see the  origin go to

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/catch...

Answer 4

It seems that the origin of Heller's novel is the 22nd guideline of military medical officers. "An airman may not claim exemption from flying duties on account of insanity because, by asking for such consideration, the airman is demonstrating his sanity." A no-win situation.