Turtles all the way down’. Do you know or use this expression?

[Anonymous]

47F. Physicist. And yes, I use it.

[Anonymous]

Only from the title of the John Green book.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtles_All_the_Way_Down_(novel)

[Anonymous]

Yes I know it. 41, male. If I didn't know it before I'd know of from the Sturgil Simpson song "Turtles All the Way Down," but I don't remember when I actually learned it.

[Anonymous]

39 Female college dropout. Yes. I don’t use it often but I have used it and would understand it.

[Anonymous]

Never heard of it, 45

[Anonymous]

I’m 54 and have heard many metaphors and similar used, but never heard or seen this one

[Anonymous]

Nope, never use it. 51F

[Anonymous]

57 F humanities trained

Yes, but I assumed it was exclusively about the mind opening that comes with dropping acid or other psychoactive drugs — thanks to the Sturgill Simpson song. Which is absolutely about his experiences taking all the drugs btw.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only from the title of the John Green book.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtles_All_the_Way_Down_(novel)

That's where I know it. I didn't realize it had a broader context. Or does it?

[Anonymous]

It could be turtles all the way down. It could be something else. It’s infinite, that’s the idea.

Looks like the saying could go back at least to 1700s, per Dr Wikipedia. Though it’s unclear if they’re referencing the origin myth/turtles thing or the philosophical problem in general. Locke definitely wrote about this idea but I’m not sure he used “turtles.”

[Anonymous]

I have used it since college in the 80s. Caribbean origin, tail end of the boomer generation

[Anonymous]

39. black female. Never heard of this. I would have no idea what you meant. I’d assume you meant al hands on deck .

[Anonymous]

It’s a dumb saying that doesn’t make any sense.

Why turtles?

A more intuitive interpretation would be based on the attibutes of turtles: slow and steady perhaps? Or hiding in its shell.


Turtles all the way down should be a reference to cowards afraid to stick out their neck.

“We need to make some tough budget cuts but leadership is too cowardly to do what needs to be done…turtles all the way down.”

An obscure reference to the universe using a dumb catalyst is just stupid. Could have just as easily been a rock (although a pebble sounds more eastern) or pumpkin or pig. So dumb.

[Anonymous]

Yes. 62. Philosophy major eons ago. I’ve used it most of my life in joking reference to infinite regress/absurdity.

[Anonymous]

I’m 35 and female. I’ve never heard it used as a saying. I’ve only seen the book/movie with that as the title.