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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 2 years ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years 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.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 years ago (2 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 years 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".

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 years 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.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago

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