You can discern a lot about someone by the terms they use to describe others, and insults can be especially telling. When a put-down becomes popularized, it starts to signal something about society as a whole as well as the person using the term. Try-hard is one such term that reveals what we have become as a society.
To backpedal a bit, the term try-hard is a term that is sarcastically used to mock someone else for showing what is perceived to be too much effort or trying too hard on a given task (hence the name try-hard). The context of this varies, but usually in competitive atmospheres or the modern workplaces. Common examples include phrases like Mike put chalk on his hands before deadlifting? What a try-hard! or Bob made a PowerPoint slide deck for a 10-minute presentation? What a try-hard!
So, as you can see, being called a try-hard is not intended as a compliment. When the term is used, it often is met with either mild agreement or silence. However, the often-overlooked aspect of the phrase is the person saying it in the first place. In my experience (TRIGGER WARNING: anecdotes!) the one using the phrase to disrespect someone else is universally not trying hard enough in whatever endeavor they are referring to. The insult of try-hard is almost universally used as a crutch to make the speaker feel better about their own comparative shortcoming. In short, try-hard is the insult of the lazy to mock the successful.
I wish I could end my critique at the sole individual using the term, unfortunately I wouldn’t being doing a thorough lambasting if I did that. The term has reached mainstream popularity, and we are to blame for that. Whether through using the term in jealousy ourselves, or by being complicitly silent when the term is used in our presence, there is no denying that the term has only reached this critical mass because very few people have decided to challenge the term and its salty users. In essence, we’ve become a group of enablers. We’ve enabled complacency, and for that, shame on us.
Furthermore, the term is revealing about society itself. Try-hard is used to describe someone who is an exception. The implication of that is crystal clear; nobody tries hard anymore. Whether it is in the realm of Olympic events, entrepreneurship, scientific research, or simply caring for our fellow man, America has become a nation of slackers. The kid who runs all the way through the finish line in gym class? Try-hard! The college student who stays up until 3am to finish his term paper? Try-hard! The start-up founder who pulls an all-nighter to make the prototype for his WiFi-enabled toaster work properly? Try-hard! As much as people love to point to the level of education funding or the abundance of technology as the culprit for America’s decreasing status as the world’s superpower, I’d personally point to the demonization of effort as the true root cause. Shouldn’t we as a society be trying hard at everything we do? If not, then why do it at all? Should we not be try-hards in terms of solving the climate crisis or curing terminal diseases?
The term try-hard hits home for me. It’s a term that I’ve been called rather consistently from my peers since my freshman year of high school through present day. Each time I’ve been called that, I legitimately have not known how to respond, since it basically doesn’t even register as an insult. Trying hard is the default setting, not the exception. Whether it’s through upbringing or genetics, being an alleged try-hard is all I know.
I do not view those in better shape than me as try-hards, nor do I view those of similar age to me yet are further along in their careers as try-hards. Do I envy from time to time? Sure! But to cast vitriol towards those who are more successful than me simply because they are more successful is unproductive. But don’t worry, I will happily accept being called a try-hard by those sitting on the couch or faking a sick day.
Catch me if you can, and if you can’t, then just call me a try-hard.
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