There's a bit in Lord of the Rings when Gandalf tells another character he'd have been better off as a court jester to a king - and could earn his stripes that way. Although I suspect Gandalf was using the old meaning, where the "stripes" earned were the lashes of a whip for displeasing his employer. wonder if this is worth adding here as it kind of fits, but in a related way? I'll check the context.
There's a bit in Lord of the Rings when Gandalf tells another character he'd have been better off as a court jester to a king - and could earn his stripes that way. Although I suspect Gandalf was using the old meaning, where the "stripes" earned were the lashes of a whip for displeasing his employer. wonder if this is worth adding here as it kind of fits, but in a related way? I'll check the context.