@chaeotica.bsky.social
Reposted
The “Bootstraps” idiom was originally meant to refer to the literally impossible. It was co-opted.
Idiom Origin
“pull yourself up by your bootstraps”
This was originally *sarcasm* & meant to convey that the act was impossible.
A boot strap is a loop used to help put your boot on.
This 1921 cartoon from the “Nonpartisan Leader” showcases that you can’t pull upward on your boots to levitate.
“pull yourself up by your bootstraps”
This was originally *sarcasm* & meant to convey that the act was impossible.
A boot strap is a loop used to help put your boot on.
This 1921 cartoon from the “Nonpartisan Leader” showcases that you can’t pull upward on your boots to levitate.
November 10, 2025 at 12:02 AM
The “Bootstraps” idiom was originally meant to refer to the literally impossible. It was co-opted.
I'm going to admit right now: not only did I not realize this dude was not already dead ages ago (thanks US education!), the only name I was ever able to remember connected to that big DNA revelation is Rosalind Franklin's. Based on this obit, I bet this guy would've hated that.
November 8, 2025 at 9:23 PM
I'm going to admit right now: not only did I not realize this dude was not already dead ages ago (thanks US education!), the only name I was ever able to remember connected to that big DNA revelation is Rosalind Franklin's. Based on this obit, I bet this guy would've hated that.
and the next war could start that way. But I think it would be years of JGS watching his assets dwindle before he took initiative. I don't think he'd pester WRH for spoils, though. He's unfortunately very good at playing politics, and would be well aware that causing waves would end badly.
June 22, 2025 at 11:00 AM
and the next war could start that way. But I think it would be years of JGS watching his assets dwindle before he took initiative. I don't think he'd pester WRH for spoils, though. He's unfortunately very good at playing politics, and would be well aware that causing waves would end badly.
This one, I'm thinking is a no, unless JGS decides to have MY attempt to assassinate WRH once he decides he's tired of playing the sycophant and waiting for someone else to do WRH in. MY either goes straight to WRH with the evidence or gets caught and leaves evidence for WRH to find (as revenge)...
June 22, 2025 at 11:00 AM
This one, I'm thinking is a no, unless JGS decides to have MY attempt to assassinate WRH once he decides he's tired of playing the sycophant and waiting for someone else to do WRH in. MY either goes straight to WRH with the evidence or gets caught and leaves evidence for WRH to find (as revenge)...
All yes. MY was definitely playing both sides, and without WWX, the Sunshot Campaign would not be close enough to winning for MY to turn traitor to WRH.
As a fun aside, so far, this sequence of events means WLJ manages to survive, since she was planning to ditch WC regardless.
As a fun aside, so far, this sequence of events means WLJ manages to survive, since she was planning to ditch WC regardless.
June 22, 2025 at 10:50 AM
All yes. MY was definitely playing both sides, and without WWX, the Sunshot Campaign would not be close enough to winning for MY to turn traitor to WRH.
As a fun aside, so far, this sequence of events means WLJ manages to survive, since she was planning to ditch WC regardless.
As a fun aside, so far, this sequence of events means WLJ manages to survive, since she was planning to ditch WC regardless.
Just looked it up in the EXR translation, and WWX wasn't the one to find the cave in the book; it was a random, unnamed character that found it while WLJ was scolding JC and WWX for not looking. So that part doesn't change. Of course, you can change it so no one finds it; that's your prerogative.
June 22, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Just looked it up in the EXR translation, and WWX wasn't the one to find the cave in the book; it was a random, unnamed character that found it while WLJ was scolding JC and WWX for not looking. So that part doesn't change. Of course, you can change it so no one finds it; that's your prerogative.