Conundrum

/kəˈnʌndrəm/

noun

a confusing and difficult problem or question that is often a riddle or puzzle

The word 'conundrum' originated in the 17th century and originally referred to a pun or wordplay. Over time, it evolved to represent a perplexing problem or question with no easy solution, making it a common term to describe complex or puzzling situations.

This fresh burst of culture shock rattles the jeek out of his ethical conundrum.

Neal Stephenson

Snow Crash

―Wait, said Cissy, I’ll ask my uncle Peter over there what’s the time by his conundrum.

James Joyce

Ulysses