Meaning

A riddle wrapped up in an enigma

The meaning of the phrase

A puzzle - difficult to solve.

A riddle wrapped up in an enigma

What’s the origin of the phrase ‘A riddle wrapped up in an enigma’?

A form of Winston Churchill’s quotation, made in a radio broadcast in October 1939:

“I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key. That key is Russian national interest.”

Historical trend

“wrapped up in an enigma” in printed material over time

Source: Google Books Ngrams (1860–2020).

186018801900192019401960198020002020
  • wrapped up in an enigma