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 9 months ago by minnieo@kbin.social to c/TodayILearned@kbin.social
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[–] sadreality@kbin.social 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I guess nobody ever told the boomers...

[–] fckgwrhqq2yxrkt@beehaw.org 1 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

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

[–] ono@lemmy.ca 1 points 9 months ago

Also the origin of the term booting a computer.

[–] rhythmisaprancer@kbin.social 1 points 9 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 9 months ago* (last edited 9 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 9 months ago (2 children)

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

[–] ArbitraryValue@sh.itjust.works 1 points 9 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 9 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.

[–] MummifiedClient5000@feddit.dk 1 points 9 months ago

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