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conundrum


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A question asked for amusement, typically one with a pun in its answer; a riddle; a confusing and difficult problem or question. The word is of unknown origin, but is first recorded (in the late 16th century) in a work by Thomas Nashe, as a term of abuse for a crank or pedant, later coming to denote a whim or fancy, also a pun. Current senses date from the late 17th century.


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