Everything that’s terrible these days gets labeled a “dumpster fire.” But what’s so terrible about a dumpster fire?
It’s a fire in a steel box with a lid, so it’s self-contained and easy to put out. What’s more, the only things destroyed in the fire were already garbage, so the damages are negligible.
If anything, “dumpster fire” should be used for minor, easily solvable problems that may stink a bit.
Because it’s trash that’s on fire. It’s a metaphor.
Yes, I understand it’s a metaphor. I’m saying it’s not a particularly *apt *metaphor.
Have you ever smelled a dumpster fire? A bunch of trash burning, much of which is not meant to be burned, is not exactly pleasant.
A “dumpster fire” is a mess that no one wants to deal with. The fact that it’s already trash is irrelevant. Not all dumpsters are the kind you find behind 7-11 with convenient lids you can just close.
You think this is a minor, easily solved problem?
It’s saying that you’re not just trash, you’re trash that’s on fire. In addition to that, you’re flaming trash that’s not my problem (if you don’t own the dumpster) or, if you do own the dumpster, you’re flaming trash that’s best dealt with by letting it burn itself out until there’s nothing left.
The meat of the metaphor isn’t, “This is a big disaster that’s going to screw up everything for everyone,” it’s “This is a big, stinking pain in the ass, and I’m glad I’m not the one responsible for cleaning it up.”
Makes sense, but I’d still rather deal with a dumpster fire than a shitstorm or a trainwreck.
A guy I used to work with said that in high school he… appropriated a lump of sodium. He put it into an empty dumpster, then put some paper and cardboard on it and lit it on fire. Then he waited for someone to come (who did) to spray water on it.
Oh, for sure. Shitstorm > trainwreck > dumpster fire.
What exactly is a “shitstorm”? I mean AFAIK there is no such thing as a meteorological phenomenon where feces is the primary form of precipitation.
Or the expression “shit hitting the fan”. I understand that it is meant to conjure up an image of shit spraying everywhere, deflected off the spinning blades of a fan. But under what circumstances would you have a fan in close proximity to where you shit, such that you would have to concern yourself with it accidently shitting on it?
High winds over an open cesspit?
This one is like when you’re doing home renovations, and you accidentally connect the HVAC system to the sewer mains.
I’ve always wondered what was supposed to be good about “draining the swamp”. Swamps are important ecosystems and serve as habitat for many kinds of plants and animals. As a nature lover I’d never want to drain one.
What about a clusterfuck?
“A man in a crowded bar needed to defecate but couldn’t find a bathroom, so he went upstairs and used a hole in the floor. Returning, he found everyone had gone except the bartender, who was cowering behind the bar. When the man asked what had happened, the bartender replied, ‘Where were you when the shit hit the fan?’”
This dumpster fire just happened in my town- https://herecast.us/983601?fbclid=IwAR2_-HV_hD8i1LAPrH97L6_to_lRcyPv9KKK1_a_vVJgwvInSduKeuX7pPk
“In this case, according to Fire Investigators… the discarded materials, combined with the warm temperatures and humidity yesterday, caused a spontaneous ignition within the dumpster. Given the proximity of the dumpster to the building, the fire easily extended from the dumpster to the structure. The fire has been determined to be accidental. The business is currently not able to work from this building and is actively seeking a temporary alternate location.”
So basically a fire that started in the dumpster caused the entire building to burn down. So no, it’s not self contained.
What if some destructive genius started the fire with magnesium? That’s a bit more difficult to put out than your average fire.
Then there’s thermite, which may melt a nice hole right through your metal box.
The Swamp Thing would agree.
Mosquitoes.
Well…