Actually the bootstraps one is a good example of the general public missing the point entirely. Originally, the phrase was used to describe something impossible, and was repeatedly used sarcastically to describe an inherently unjust economic system that makes upward mobility impossible.
Yep, and people still try to use it as a metaphor for something completely different. Just something that no longer makes logical sense all on its own.
And it isn’t even true.
It’s usually true about what it’s being used as a metaphor for, though. A metaphor doesn’t have to be literally true. It just has to make sense.
Like pull yourself up by the boot straps. No one’s dumb enough to think it only means “help yourself”, right?!
Actually the bootstraps one is a good example of the general public missing the point entirely. Originally, the phrase was used to describe something impossible, and was repeatedly used sarcastically to describe an inherently unjust economic system that makes upward mobility impossible.
Yep, and people still try to use it as a metaphor for something completely different. Just something that no longer makes logical sense all on its own.
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A frog will jump out of a pot of water before its hot enough to kill it.
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I understand metaphors just fine.
“Lightning never strikes the same place twice” is a metaphor that people think is true too, doesn’t mean we can’t use it.
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Show me where I said we can’t use it.
“And it isn’t even true.” does not mean “stop using that metaphor”
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That it isn’t literally fucking true.