[tialaramex]

> If I wanted a different object I'd make a copy.

In the explanation I posted, you do make a copy to get a different object "you use your C++ 98 copy constructor to get another string".

The problem happens because both strings share the same bytes to represent the text "IR Baboon big star of cartoon" as part of the COW optimisation. But my reference can scribble on this shared text.

I don't see how your get_some_config is similar at all. Notice that with C++ 11 strings, the copy constructor gives you a deep copy of that "IR Baboon" text and so my references can't smash your string.