Problma

Problma is a term used in online puzzle and theoretical discussion to denote a class of problems that resist conventional resolution due to self-reference, feedback between solution and problem, or shifting constraints. The word appears to be an informal blend of “problem” and a suffix that signals a specialized category, and it is not established as a formal term in mathematics, computer science, or philosophy.

Origin and usage: Problma arose in informal online communities and puzzle blogs in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Because it is not codified in scholarly literature, its exact origin is uncertain, with some attributions pointing to a typographical error that gained traction and others to purposeful coinage to describe a subset of meta-puzzles.

Characteristics: Problma instances typically feature one or more of the following: self-reference, where solving the puzzle affects the problem itself; dynamic or adaptive constraints that change based on the solver’s actions; ambiguous or multi-layered framing requiring attention to both content and form; or paradoxical elements that complicate straightforward solution paths.

Classification and examples: There is no formal taxonomy for probLma; it is used as an informal label for puzzles that emphasize the relationship between problem framing and solving. Examples in discussion threads might involve questions that alter rules after each attempt or require solving a problem while simultaneously accounting for the method used to solve it.

See also: Problem, paradox, meta-puzzle, self-referential puzzle.

References: Primarily informal sources such as puzzle wikis and forum discussions; no formal peer-reviewed literature exists.