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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 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] ArbitraryValue 1 points 1 year 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 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year 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.