The question “which came first, the chicken or the egg?” looks at first glance like a matter of straightforward reproductive biology. But before we can even begin to answer this question, we must define our terms. So actually, it is a classic case of semantic ambiguity… a problem of meaning and interpretation. Specifically, while the term “chicken” is biologically unambiguous – we all know what a chicken looks, sounds and tastes like – the term “egg” is somewhat more general and is therefore a possible source of ambiguity. Do we mean (1) just any egg, or (2) a chicken egg? And if we’re talking about a chicken egg, then is a “chicken egg” (2a) an egg laid by a chicken, (2b) an egg containing a chicken, or (2c) both? Reformulating the question to reflect each possible meaning of “egg” leads to four distinct versions of the chicken-or-egg question.
1. Which came first, the chicken or (just any old) egg?
2a. Which came first, the chicken or an egg laid by a chicken?
2b. Which came first, the chicken or an egg containing a chicken?
2c. Which came first: the chicken, or an egg laid by and containing a chicken?
Contrary to popular belief, there is indeed a definite answer to each of these questions. Specifically, the answers are: (1) The egg. (2a) The chicken. (2b) The egg. (2c) The chicken