Every language has its share of words describing no-win situations, but few of them can touch the German ‘Zwickmühle’ for capturing the horrible discomfort one feels on the horns of a dilemma.
Why do I need to know Zwickmühle?
Frankly, who doesn’t find themselves caught between the devil and the deep blue sea every now and then?
Over the long weekend, many of us will spend time with our extended families – and we’ve all spent the last few weeks (or possibly years!) watching politicians desperately search for good solutions to impossible problems.
What’s the literal translation?
English words like dilemma, quandary, and catch-22 are serviceable but fail to capture the nightmare quality of the phenomenon they describe. Phrases like “between a rock and a hard place” are more expressive, but a bit of a mouthful.
In contrast, die Zwickmühle is wonderfully short and snappy – and provides a wince-inducing image at the same time. (Here’s how to pronounce it.)
Zwick comes from the German verb Zwicken, which means to pinch or squeeze. Mühle comes from Mühlen, meaning to mill (as in Windmühle) or grind. So literally, die Zwickmühle is a grinding mill.
Advertisement
The experience of being caught in a dilemma, therefore – when every option seems likely to make the situation worse rather than better – is like being caught in a mill, being pulled and pinched and pressed, and rubbed raw by the unstoppable grinding stones.
READ ALSO: German word of the day – Schönreden
Use it like this:
Die Europäische Union steckt in einer Zwickmühle.
The European Union is caught in a catch-22 situation.
Ich stecke in der Zwickmühle, ob ich die Wahrheit sagen oder eine Notlüge erzählen soll.
I’m in a quandary as to whether I should tell the truth or a white lie.
If you’re being pressed to offer an opinion, Zwickmühle also comes in handy as a get-out-of-jail card:
“Sagen Sie mir, was Sie denken.”
“Ich denke, das ist eine echte Zwickmühle.”
“Tell me what you think.”
“I think it’s a real catch-22 situation”
#German #word #day #Zwickmühle
