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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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[–] 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 4 points 11 months ago (1 children)

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

[–] 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 4 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.