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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 [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] ArbitraryValue 2 points 9 months ago (2 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 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.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

That’s what they mean, but they’re idiots using it incorrectly.

[–] ArbitraryValue 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

How is that an incorrect usage? The phrase is a metaphor that describes a task that's apparently impossible without outside help. They're using it to say "perform this task without outside help anyway" which can be callous but fits the metaphor.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

No one can pull you up by your bootstraps. They can pull your boots up by your bootstraps. The original phrase refers to an impossible task whether or not anyone else is involved. That’s why it’s sarcasm.