Challenges vs. problems

Examining the etymologies of the words, it is strange that we use the word “challenge” as a euphemism for “problem”.

Challenge: ORIGIN Middle English (in the senses ‘accusation’ and ‘accuse’): from Old French chalenge (noun), chalenger (verb), from Latin calumnia ‘calumny,’ calumniari ‘calumniate.’

Problem: ORIGIN late Middle English (originally denoting a riddle or a question for academic discussion): from Old French probleme, via Latin from Greek probl?ma, from proballein ‘put forth,’ from pro ‘before’ + ballein ‘to throw.’

3 thoughts on “Challenges vs. problems

    1. I already wussed out and toned the post way down. Besides, the guy wouldn’t even remember the incident. He practically sleep-walked through his little lecture. The most maddening people are maddening because they’re immune to sense. You can’t win; best to ignore.

    2. But I am now armed to take down the next sanctimonious twit who tries to posture as “positive” by negating other people’s alleged negativity by besmirching the beautiful word, “problem”.

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