The core idea:
The phrase is a sarcastic way of telling someone to stop complaining or feeling sorry for themselves. It's a dismissal, implying the person's troubles are insignificant or not worth dwelling on.
Possible origins:
* Literary: The phrase could be a twist on the Biblical story of the River of Tears from the Book of Revelation. This river represents the suffering of humanity. So, telling someone to "cry me a river" is a mocking way of suggesting their sorrow isn't worthy of such a dramatic comparison.
* Folklore: Some argue it stemmed from the metaphorical use of "river" for large amounts of something like tears, grief, or even anger. Saying "cry me a river" implies they're exaggerating their emotions.
* Song: Perhaps most famously, the phrase was popularized by Justin Timberlake's 2002 hit song "Cry Me a River." Though the song doesn't explicitly state the origin of the phrase, it's likely Timberlake adopted it from popular usage at the time.
Evolution:
The phrase likely evolved through casual speech, gradually gaining popularity and appearing in various media. It's become so ingrained in our culture that it's hard to pinpoint its exact origins.
Key Takeaway:
While "cry me a river" might not have a singular, definitive source, its meaning is clear: It's a sarcastic dismissal of someone's complaints or emotional distress.