⚖️ A Choice Between Two Evils: Navigating Between Scylla and Charybdis ⛵

Sailing through the tricky waters of clichés with the early modern 'choice between two evils' and other perilous phrases.

A Choice Between Two Evils ⚖️

“A choice between two evils” takes us back to the tumultuous seas of the early seventeenth century, where sailors faced the tricky task of caulking seams near the waterline amidst stormy weather. Falling overboard was a constant threat, making it the epitome of a treacherous dilemma. The phrase has since sailed its way through history to laser-etch itself in our vocabulary as a classic cliché demarking dire circumstances.

Between a rock and a hard place: A choice between two equally unwelcome options.
Hobson’s choice: Take it or leave it; essentially no real choice.
Catch-22: A lose-lose situation, popularized by Joseph Heller’s famous book.
Scylla and Charybdis: Drawing from Greek mythology, a perilous navigation between two monsters.

Synonyms

Dilemma
Conundrum
Quandary
Predicament

Antonyms

Easy choice
Simple decision
No-brainer

Humor-filled Quotes

“When faced with a choice between two evils, I always choose the one I haven’t tried before.” — Mae West

Proverbs and Expressions

“Out of the frying pan into the fire”: Escaping one bad situation only to find oneself in an even worse one.
“Choosing the lesser of two evils”: Opting for the less harmful option.
“Out of the pot into the fire”: Similar to the frying pan adage, suggesting worsening circumstances.

Recommended Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies

Book: “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller
Song: “Should I Stay or Should I Go” by The Clash
Movie: “The Devil’s Advocate” starring Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves
Poetry: “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost (though not directly, it speaks to life’s difficult choices)

Let’s Quiz!

### Which idiom describes being faced with two undesirable choices? - [x] Between a rock and a hard place - [ ] Over the moon - [ ] Steal one's thunder - [ ] Cry over spilled milk > **Explanation:** "Between a rock and a hard place" is a recognized idiom indicating a tough decision between equally unpleasant options. ### Which phrase means essentially no real choice at all? - [ ] Apple's dilemma - [ ] Cook's choice - [x] Hobson's choice - [ ] Wild goose chase > **Explanation:** A "Hobson's choice" is a situation where there's no real alternative; the choice is to take what's offered or nothing. ### True or False: "Out of the frying pan into the fire" means a situation has improved. - [ ] True - [x] False > **Explanation:** False. The idiom illustrates moving from a bad situation to an even worse one.

❤️ Sail smoothly through choices, brave the high seas of dilemmas, and always find your compass aligned toward enlightenment! 🌊

Published by:

⚓ P. J. Punsworth 5th October 2023

Inspirational Thought:

Choosing between two evils doesn’t mean giving up hope; instead, it tests your ability to navigate stormy seas with wisdom and grace.

Fair winds and following seas, P. J. Punsworth