A riddle wrapped up in an enigma

Definitions

• mysterious or difficult to understand
  Describing something or someone that is perplexing or puzzling, leaving others confused or unable to fully comprehend their meaning or reasoning

• complex or complicated
  Referring to a situation or concept that is intricate or convoluted, making it challenging to unravel or decipher

• contradictory or paradoxical
  Characterizing something that is self-contradictory or seemingly impossible to reconcile, creating a sense of confusion or bewilderment

Examples of A riddle wrapped up in an enigma

• The new software update for our computers is a riddle wrapped up in an enigma.

  This idiom is used to describe something that is difficult to understand or figure out, as it is complex and confusing, much like a riddle that is wrapped up in an enigma. In this case, the software update is being compared to a riddle because it is difficult to decipher or understand, and it is being compared to an enigma because it is mysterious and complex. Overall, this idiom highlights the fact that the software update is challenging to comprehend and may require a great deal of effort and thought to fully understand.

Conclusion

The phrase "a riddle wrapped up in an enigma" is often used to describe something that is difficult to understand or explain. It can refer to a person, situation, or concept that is mysterious, complex, or contradictory in nature. This idiom is often used to convey a sense of perplexity or confusion, highlighting the challenge of unraveling or comprehending the subject at hand.

Origin of "A riddle wrapped up in an enigma"

The phrase "a riddle wrapped up in an enigma" was famously used by Winston Churchill in a radio broadcast in 1939, when he described Russia as "a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma." Churchill was referring to the secretive nature of the Soviet Union and the difficulty in understanding their motives and actions.

The phrase itself is believed to have originated from a line in a poem by American poet Edgar Allan Poe, where he wrote "a mystery wrapped in an enigma." This phrase has also been attributed to Greek philosopher Aristotle, who used a similar expression to describe the complexity of human nature.

Overall, the idiom "a riddle wrapped up in an enigma" has been used in literature, politics, and everyday speech to convey the idea of something being difficult to understand or unravel. Its origin may be traced back to ancient times, but it continues to be a relevant and widely used phrase in modern English.