this post was submitted on 05 Dec 2023
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Today I Learned

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TIL “Pull Yourself Up By Your Bootstraps” was originally meant sarcastically, or to suggest an impossible accomplishment, because it is impossible for someone to pull themselves up by their bootstraps (media.kbin.social)
submitted 11 months ago by minnieo@kbin.social to c/TodayILearned@kbin.social
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[–] sadreality@kbin.social 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I guess nobody ever told the boomers...

[–] fckgwrhqq2yxrkt@beehaw.org 1 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Nah, they have just been mocking us the whole time, knowing we were fucked.

[–] ono@lemmy.ca 1 points 11 months ago

Also the origin of the term booting a computer.

[–] rhythmisaprancer@kbin.social 1 points 11 months ago

While I don't appreciate the way this phrase is used currently, I'm not sure it is worthwhile getting too deep into it. Meanings change over time like discussed in the "hey" post the other day or more recently with the increased meanings for literally.

[–] ArbitraryValue@sh.itjust.works 0 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

Isn't that how it's used now? (Although I wouldn't say "sarcastically" but rather "metaphorically".) I would define it as referring to a task that is very difficult due to a lack of outside support.

[–] minnieo@kbin.social 5 points 11 months ago (2 children)

nowadays i hear it exclusively used to tell someone to 'toughen up'

[–] MummifiedClient5000@feddit.dk 1 points 11 months ago

Sure you're not thinking of "pull yourself together"?

[–] ArbitraryValue@sh.itjust.works 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I figured that the people saying it meant "you need to find the strength to do this yourself since no one is going to help you".

[–] snooggums@kbin.social 7 points 11 months ago

"You need to find the strength to do the impossible because we won't spend money on minorities and poor people" is how it is used today.