Agreed, I was merely pointing out why this phrase has been common parlance in the US for decades and thus it "feels natural" to US speakers. But your point is well taken: English is riddled with idiomatic expressions, and we would do well to avoid them when possible, when writing for a non-native-speaking audience. Dan > Dan Krimm wrote: It means a double-bind or no-win situation. > (It derives from the novel Catch 22 by Joseph Heller, which > defined the term.) See: > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch-22#Concept Dan Thanks, > Dan, for the reference. > > But not for this case only, but in general, I repeat my appeal that the > native speakers of English should please be conscious and sensitive about > the constant burden put on others if colloquial language is used, which > is not easily understood. A broad appeal document, as the very important > one Kathy proposed, should be fully understandable without a reference to > Wikipedia. > > But I still appreciate this reference for my own education. > > > Norbert > Milton L Mueller wrote: > Thanks so much, Kathy! Does anyone object to > putting in these comments on behalf of NCUC? > Thanks, Kathy, I fully support the intent, > but I have one small reservation on the text: > I do not understand "catch22" and I would > appreciate to replace it with simple, > generally understandable language - > understandable also by those who are weak in > the English language. Norbert > From: Non-Commercial User > Constituency > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On > Behalf Of [log in to unmask] Sent: Tuesday, > June 26, 2007 11:31 PM To: > [log in to unmask] Subject: > [NCUC-DISCUSS] Draft comments to support > .TEL's Whois proposal - due 6/28 > [snip] -- If you want to know what is going > on in Cambodia, please visit us regularly - > you can find something new every day: > http://cambodiamirror.wordpress.com > > -- If you want to know what is going on in Cambodia, please visit us > regularly - you can find something new every day: > http://cambodiamirror.wordpress.com