Grelling-Nelson paradox

The Grelling-Nelson paradox isverbal paradox formulated1908 by Kurt GrellingLeonard Nelsonsometimes mistakenly attributedGerman philosophermathematician Herman Weyl. It isreformulation ofBarber paradoxRussell's paradox.

The paradox deals withmade-up words "autological""heterological". A wordcalled autological ifappliesitself. For example "short"autological, sinceword "short"short. "Sophisticated"also autological. Words thatnot autologicalcalled heterological. "Long" isheterological word,example. The obvious question arises:"heterological" heterological? Thereno consistent answer: ifis, thenisn't; ifisn't, then it-- thinkthrough.

More examplesheterological words:

• Monosyllabic
• Adverb
• Purple
• Female
• Carcinogenic

More examplesautological words:

• Pentasyllabic
• Pronounceable
• Confusionful
• Brief
• English