Aporia (a-po’-ri-a): Deliberating with oneself as though in doubt over some matter; asking oneself (or rhetorically asking one’s hearers) what is the best or appropriate way to approach something [=diaporesis].
How many hummingbirds can dance on the head of a large corporation?
On South Carolina?
On Patterson, New Jersey?
On a small cafeteria-sized bowl of Jello?
On a tennis court?
Under an umbrella?
But hummingbirds can’t dance.
Well, there you have it dance-wise, but what about sit-wise, stand-wise, or even hover-over-wise?
Be patient. Rome wasn’t built out of hummingbirds, and it took more than a couple of weeks. That’s why all roads lead to Rome, but you can’t make a horse drink.
- Post your own aporia on the “Comments” page!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
