cat's cradle



cat's cradle

Something intricately or overly complex and/or elaborate. Likened to the children's game of the same name in which string is wound around and between one's fingers to create intricate patterns. The new healthcare legislation is a baffling cat's cradle of regulations, requirements, and loopholes.
See also: cradle

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Theresatə-REE-sə (English), tə-RAY-zə (English), te-RE-zah (German)English, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
Iagoee-A-gaw (Welsh, Galician), ee-AH-go (English)Welsh, Galician, Portuguese
HerbHURBEnglish
Methuselahmə-THOO-zə-lə (English)Biblical
BoldizsÁR-Hungarian
VienoVEE-e-noFinnish (Rare)