[pvg]

even Einstein also stood in the shoulders of giants

People have had that perched-on-giants feeling for some time:

This concept has been traced to the 12th century, attributed to Bernard of Chartres. Its most familiar expression in English is by Isaac Newton in 1675: "If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standing_on_the_shoulders_of_g...

[OrderlyTiamat]

I've heard this quote explained as an insult directed to one of Newtons enemies (either Leibiz or Hooke), referencing their short height. I'm not convinced it's true, but it is an amusing possibility.

[agumonkey]

Note that this might be a double meaning jab at hook. Sadly brilliant if true