enigmas

Enigmas are things that are difficult to interpret or understand; the term encompasses puzzles, mysteries, and phenomena that resist easy explanation. The word comes from the Greek ainigma, meaning “a speaking in riddles.”

They can be categorized as linguistic riddles (puzzles expressed in words, such as traditional games or cryptic crosswords), mysteries (unexplained events or phenomena), and scientific or mathematical enigmas (unsolved problems or paradoxes). Many enigmas are solvable with evidence or reasoning; others are subject to debate or incomplete data.

Historically, enigmatic phenomena have driven inquiry, from mythic riddles in ancient literature to cryptographic challenges of the modern era. The Enigma machine, a German cipher device used during World War II, is a famous example of an engineered enigma; its eventual decryption by Allied cryptanalysts is a milestone in cryptography. In science, longstanding enigmas include unsolved questions about the origin of life, the nature of dark matter, and other fundamental mysteries that motivate research and debate.

In everyday usage, enigmatic describes a person, situation, or statement that is difficult to interpret or explain. The plural form, enigmas, is used to refer collectively to various puzzles or mysteries.