--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: OK, I admit it. I was just a front-man…" description: "\"OK, I admit it. I was just a front-man for the real fathers of Linux, the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus.\" — Linus Torvalds" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41d/linus-torvalds-1512_fairy_ok-i-admit-it-i-was-just-a-front-man-for_1781707.jpg" --- # OK, I admit it. I was just a front-man for the real… ![“OK, I admit it. I was just a front-man for the real fathers of Linux, the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus.” quote by Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41d/linus-torvalds-1512_fairy_ok-i-admit-it-i-was-just-a-front-man-for_1781707.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41d/linus-torvalds-1512_fairy_ok-i-admit-it-i-was-just-a-front-man-for_1781707.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41d/linus-torvalds-1512_fairy_ok-i-admit-it-i-was-just-a-front-man-for_1781707.jpg) > “OK, I admit it. I was just a front-man for the real fathers of Linux, the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus.” [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker jokes that his public persona masks the true contributors, humorously attributing Linux’s creation to mythical figures. **In simple terms:** He humorously claims he’s a front man for mythical creators. Key Takeaway Don’t take credit claims—recognize the real contributors. Themes humor humility open source Mood playful lighthearted Type anecdotal humorous When to use this quote - team meetings - open source conferences - public speaking - media interviews Key Concepts mythical attribution credit identity Questions to Reflect On - Who truly deserves credit for your project? - How does humor affect perception of contribution? A Different Perspective The joke may downplay serious discussions about proper attribution in collaborative projects. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fairy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fairy/) [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [Fathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fathers/) [Fathers Linux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fathers-linux-1867023/) [Fronts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fronts/) [Linux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/linux/) [Linux Tooth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/linux-tooth-1867024/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Real father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-father/) [Real Fathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-fathers-1339979/) [Santa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/santa/) [Santa claus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/santa-claus/) [Teeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teeth/) [Tooth fairy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tooth-fairy/) ## Related quotes > [Any man can help make a child, but it takes a special man to help raise a child. He must be selfless. He must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-gaskins/any-man-can-help-make-a-child-but-it-takes-a-special-man-to-help/) [Tony Gaskins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-gaskins/) > [Real Fathers are Role Models worthy of emulation. They choose to live exemplary lifestyles of leadership and excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/real-fathers-are-role-models-worthy-of-emulation-they-choose-to-live/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I know we play a part in the story of progressive music, but for us those influences are the real fathers, the ones that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/i-know-we-play-a-part-in-the-story-of-progressive-music-but-for-us/) [John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/) > [“Good fathers, and by that I mean real fathers who are there, have the ability to change almost every social problem we now find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-pearce/good-fathers-and-by-that-i-mean-real-fathers-who-are-there-have-the/) [Dan Pearce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-pearce/) > [“Real Fathers are Solution Providers and not a part of the problem to be solved.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fela-durotoye/real-fathers-are-solution-providers-and-not-a-part-of-the-problem-to/) [Fela Durotoye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fela-durotoye/) > [“Real Fathers are men of integrity & honour. Their word is their bond.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fela-durotoye/real-fathers-are-men-of-integrity-honour-their-word-is-their-bond/) [Fela Durotoye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fela-durotoye/) > [“Real Fathers make a positive impact on their generation, and so give the next generation the advantage of a better nation to live in”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fela-durotoye/real-fathers-make-a-positive-impact-on-their-generation-and-so-give/) [Fela Durotoye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fela-durotoye/) > [Happy fathers day to all those mothers that played both roles and to all the real fathers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/happy-fathers-day-to-all-those-mothers-that-played-both-roles-and-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I try to avoid long-range plans and visions - that way I can more easily deal with anything new that comes up without having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-try-to-avoid-long-range-plans-and-visions-that-way-i-can-more/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I started Linux as a desktop operating system. And it's the only area where Linux hasn't completely taken over. That just annoys the hell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-started-linux-as-a-desktop-operating-system-and-it-s-the-only-area/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [That's what makes Linux so good: you put in something, and that effort multiplies. It's a positive feedback cycle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/that-s-what-makes-linux-so-good-you-put-in-something-and-that-effort/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [There are lots of Linux users who don't care how the kernel works, but only want to use it. That is a tribute to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/there-are-lots-of-linux-users-who-don-t-care-how-the-kernel-works-but/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Me trying to make a business around Linux would have been a total disaster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/me-trying-to-make-a-business-around-linux-would-have-been-a-total/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I do get my pizzas paid for by Linux indirectly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-do-get-my-pizzas-paid-for-by-linux-indirectly/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I've never regretted not making Linux shareware: I really don't like the pay for use binary shareware programs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-ve-never-regretted-not-making-linux-shareware-i-really-don-t-like/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) ## More by Linus Torvalds > [Once you realize that documentation should be laughed at, peed upon, put on fire, and just ridiculed in general, then, and only then, have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/once-you-realize-that-documentation-should-be-laughed-at-peed-upon/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I think, fundamentally, open source does tend to be more stable software. It's the right way to do things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-think-fundamentally-open-source-does-tend-to-be-more-stable/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I used to be interested in Windows NT, but the more I see it, the more it looks like traditional Windows with a stabler…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-used-to-be-interested-in-windows-nt-but-the-more-i-see-it-the-more/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I think that freely available software can not only keep up with the evolution of commercial software, but often exceed what you can do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-think-that-freely-available-software-can-not-only-keep-up-with-the/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Programmers are in the enviable position of not only getting to do what they want to, but because the end result is so important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/programmers-are-in-the-enviable-position-of-not-only-getting-to-do/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [The NIH syndrome (Not Invented Here) is a disease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/the-nih-syndrome-not-invented-here-is-a-disease/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [The correct form factor for a laptop is obviously 12" and 2 lbs, and I don't understand why everybody gets that wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/the-correct-form-factor-for-a-laptop-is-obviously-12-and-2-lbs-and-i/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Hmmm, completely a-religious - atheist. I find that people seem to think religion brings morals and appreciation of nature. I actually think it detracts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/hmmm-completely-a-religious-atheist-i-find-that-people-seem-to-think/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [People will realize that software is not a product; you use it to build a product.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/people-will-realize-that-software-is-not-a-product-you-use-it-to/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I claim that Mach people (and apparently FreeBSD) are incompetent idiots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-claim-that-mach-people-and-apparently-freebsd-are-incompetent-idiots/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [There are "extremists" in the free software world, but that's one major reason why I don't call what I do "free software" any more.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/there-are-extremists-in-the-free-software-world-but-that-s-one-major/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Real quality means making sure that people are proud of the code they write, that they're involved and taking it personally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/real-quality-means-making-sure-that-people-are-proud-of-the-code-they/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I have one very basic rule when it comes to "good ideas". A good idea is not an idea that solves a problem cleanly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-have-one-very-basic-rule-when-it-comes-to-good-ideas-a-good-idea-is/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I've never regretted not making Linux shareware: I really don't like the pay for use binary shareware programs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-ve-never-regretted-not-making-linux-shareware-i-really-don-t-like/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Modern PCs are horrible. ACPI is a complete design disaster in every way. But we're kind of stuck with it. If any Intel people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/modern-pcs-are-horrible-acpi-is-a-complete-design-disaster-in-every/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) [Explore all 233 Linus Torvalds quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) ## More Fairy quotes > [Once upon a time. Ah forget it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/once-upon-a-time-ah-forget-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I know my hair is out of the '60's, my clothes are '50's and the shoes I wear are from the '40's. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/i-know-my-hair-is-out-of-the-60-s-my-clothes-are-50-s-and-the-shoes-i/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [I have always been fascinated by the supernatural elements in stories, whether fairy tales, myths, film or literature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trudi-canavan/i-have-always-been-fascinated-by-the-supernatural-elements-in-stories/) [Trudi Canavan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trudi-canavan/) > [“You can't get mad at a real ending. Some of them are ugly. It's the fake happily ever afters that should piss you off.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-hoover/you-can-t-get-mad-at-a-real-ending-some-of-them-are-ugly-it-s-the/) [Colleen Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-hoover/) > [“ Happily-ever-afters don't come in happily-every-days . They are found at the end of challenges-ever-met, promises-ever-kept, and tears-ever-wept.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/happily-ever-afters-don-t-come-in-happily-every-days-they-are-found/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [A real flame of love is a subtle thing. It burns as a will-o'-the-wisp, dancing onward to fairy lands of delight. It roars as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-dreiser/a-real-flame-of-love-is-a-subtle-thing-it-burns-as-a-will-o-the-wisp/) [Theodore Dreiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-dreiser/) > [“But even if they could go home it would be difficult for me to tell you what the moral of the story is. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lemony-snicket/but-even-if-they-could-go-home-it-would-be-difficult-for-me-to-tell/) [Lemony Snicket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lemony-snicket/) > [One of the first houses we lived in was like out of a fairy story. We had a stream that ran through our garden,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emilia-clarke/one-of-the-first-houses-we-lived-in-was-like-out-of-a-fairy-story-we/) [Emilia Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emilia-clarke/) > [“If two people see a fairy appear, eat a starfish, and dive into the tile floor without so much as a splash, neither can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaydeon-k-moore/if-two-people-see-a-fairy-appear-eat-a-starfish-and-dive-into-the/) [Kaydeon K. Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaydeon-k-moore/) > [Poems come from ordinary experiences and objects, I think. Out of memory - a dress I lent my daughter on her way back to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-olds/poems-come-from-ordinary-experiences-and-objects-i-think-out-of/) [Sharon Olds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-olds/) > [Here is the world of imagination, hopes, and dreams. In this timeless land of enchantment, the age of chivalry, magic and make-believe are reborn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/here-is-the-world-of-imagination-hopes-and-dreams-in-this-timeless/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [In his anti-Darwinian book... (and eponymously named The Neck of the Giraffe ), Francis Hitching tells the story... "The need to survive by reaching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-jay-gould/in-his-anti-darwinian-book-and-eponymously-named-the-neck-of-the/) [Stephen Jay Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-jay-gould/) > [Look at Jane Austen. Her characters derive in a reasonably straight line from fairy tales.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-davies/look-at-jane-austen-her-characters-derive-in-a-reasonably-straight/) [Andrew Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-davies/) > [Letters crossing in the post, unfamiliar tunes heard three times in one day, the way that blows of fate descend upon the same bowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fay-weldon/letters-crossing-in-the-post-unfamiliar-tunes-heard-three-times-in/) [Fay Weldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-weldon/) > [I grew up watching monster movies and horror movies, which I felt were like fairy tales and I think this always spoke to me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/i-grew-up-watching-monster-movies-and-horror-movies-which-i-felt-were/) [Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) [Browse all 1,977 Fairy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fairy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "OK, I admit it. 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