To think the term 'Having my back' has been completely bastardised?

[RobynRB]

Inspired to write this by watching MAFS AUS 2024, which I currently am. What a trainwreck that has been (Again).

Anyway, I was supremely irritated by Sara's 'insistence' that husband Tim 'had her back' because really what she meant was 'I want to talk shit and say anything I like to anyone I like and as a man it's your JOB to have my back no matter what'.

What a crock of shit. This isn't 'having my back'. It seems like the phrase has become completely corrupted. Surely the original meaning was looking out for friends and partners etc. You know, having your back, not this nonsense of shutting down arguments that blow up in your face when you are acting like a dick.

To me it means someone being in your corner, on your side.

Yes, and that can be a good thing. It's just it seems like now it seems to have been stretched to the point where if you say 'you have my back' that gives me carte blanche to act like a complete arsehole and if you don't support me in my extreme arseholeness then I can berate you for 'not having my back'.

I agree, I think the idea of being supportive has come to mean you never challenge anyone in their behaviour, because you just accept and support them as they are. Sometimes the most supportive thing you can do is tell someone when they’re being an arse.