the x that can be y is not the true x

2 definitions found

the x that can be y is not the true x - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  the X that can be Y is not the true X
  
     Yet another instance of hackerdom's peculiar attraction to
     mystical references - a common humorous way of making
     exclusive statements about a class of things.  The template is
     from the "Tao te Ching": "The Tao which can be spoken of is
     not the true Tao."  The implication is often that the X is a
     mystery accessible only to the enlightened.  See the
     trampoline entry for an example, and compare has the X nature
     .
  
     [Jargon File]
  

the x that can be y is not the true x - Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003) :

  the X that can be Y is not the true X
  
  
     Yet another instance of hackerdom's peculiar attraction to mystical
     references -- a common humorous way of making exclusive statements
     about a class of things. The template is from the Tao te Ching: "The
     Tao which can be spoken of is not the true Tao." The implication is
     often that the X is a mystery accessible only to the enlightened. See
     the trampoline entry for an example, and compare has the X  nature
  .