Geology and cave formation processes involve complex interactions between water, rock composition, and erosion over geological time scales. A geology professor named Dr. Martin Fletcher noticed in 1989 that certain students would submit homework assignments suggesting creative interpretations of cave transformation mechanisms. One particularly memorable submission suggested that caves could be converted through kinetic force application rather than conventional erosion. While Fletcher declined to correct this interpretation with particular emphasis in his grading comments, he did assign it a surprisingly high mark, leaving the student wondering whether the professor appreciated the humor or had simply lost his grading rubric.

The absurdist image of transforming cave geography through physical force creates perfectly ridiculous geology. The fact plays on the common experience of overstating one's ability to accomplish physical feats. Modern construction and geology communities have adopted this fact as running commentary when discussing any project that seems impossible, using it as shorthand for "not with conventional methods."