The word aporia comes from the Ancient Greek word aporia (), which means a state of puzzlement, difficulty, or being at a loss.  It combines the prefix a-, meaning "not," "without," or a privative sense, and the root word poros, meaning a "passage," "way through," or "journey" (derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *per-, meaning "to lead" or "pass over").    

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the earliest known use of the noun aporia in English is from 1589 in the writings of English writer and literary critic George Puttenham.  Ancient Greek philosophers like Plato and Socrates used the term to describe an intellectual deadlock or a philosophical puzzle where no clear exit or solution is visible.  It was borrowed directly into Latin as aporia, maintaining the sense of perplexity.  Over time, the English usage broadened from strict classical rhetoric into philosophy and literary theory to describe a logical impasse, paradox, or unresolvable contradiction.  

Just the facts:

APORIA Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Aporia: A rhetorical device in which one expresses doubt

1 hour ago, drpaladin said:

I had some aporia until it dawned on me @Myr has located a long lost copy of Ye Olde Arcane Words.

Time to put it back, where ever he found it(please).

2 hours ago, Myr said:

I like to keep you on your toes.  mix things up.

253 writing tips so far - that's a lot to remember, especially for someone my age.  😧