Vexing
I was having yet another interesting conversation about life’s most difficult or though-provoking questions. I won’t focus on those questions, but I did happen to use the phrase “It is a vexing question”. I’ve decided that I really like that word. I think it captures the essence of those types of questions. You know, the ones that you struggle to properly formulate and then seriously struggle with the possible answers. And I don’t just mean intellectually struggle either. I think “vexing” is one of those words that adds real depth and precision. I nominate it for my word of the week. You didn’t know I had a word of the week? Yeah, neither did I. As an aside, I would show you the etymology of vex, but I don’t have this yet.
EDIT: Here is the etymology of vex, although it is a bit incomplete.