bootstrap

An establishment which one reluctantly visits after a long indecisive search for a pub/club/restaurant/cafe. Selected not for its superiority to previously considered establishments, but as a last resort.

The term bootstrap originated in the UK. When searching for a place to each lunch, many eventually choose to eat a Boots £3.29 meal deal because they have given up searching for alternative that can be agreed upon. A highly available outlet in conjunction with rising hunger levels eventuate in people being caught in a 'boots trap'. Unfulfilled and disappointed, one wishes they picked the cafe they had encountered half an hour ago.

Although its' use traditionally refers to establishments, its' use has often been used to refer to other last resort acquisitions that are subjectively less pleasing than previously rejected (and now unavailable) alternatives. (e.g. buying a car, hooking up at a bar/party).

a. We ended up in a right bootstrap last night.
b. Why? There are so many good bars around that part of town.
a. Yeah I know.. but we couldn't agree on one, and we had been walking around for ages.

13👍 11👎