oxy and para

[Dan Glebitts]

what is the difference between an oxymoron and a paradox?

[lankeela]

An oxymoron is usually a two word phrase used to emphasise something by giving two opposite meanings, i.e. clever fool, whereas a paradox is something absurd or contradictory: a statement, proposition, or situation that seems to be absurd or contradictory, but in fact is or may be true

[Clanad]

A paradox is a statement whose two parts seem contradictory yet make sense with more thought. In ordinary conversation, we might use a paradox, "Deep down he's really very shallow." Another example would be Olbers' paradox which asks 'Why is the night sky black if there is an infinity of stars?'
As in this case, a paradox usually takes several sentences or even paragraphs to describe, whereas an oxymoron has been described as is a paradox reduced to two words. The best rule of thumb is to look at the first word and then the second and see if they mean two completely different things, such as military intelligence or original copy or pretty ugly...

[ugly_bob]

lol. militart intelligence

[shammydodger]

Clanad

Almost a good answer, apart from the Military Intelligence bit. Were you attempting a joke? If so, it's an old one. Clearly, "Military" is not the opposite of "Intelligence." If one was to attempt an opposite to "Military", I would offer "Civilian." And to "Intelligence", I would offer......... well, not "Clanad." Not yet. :)