As a seasoned detective and master of language, I am well-versed in the art of figurative speech and sarcasm. The phrase "when I was a kid, I walked to school uphill both ways" is a classic example of the latter. It is often used by older people to express their nostalgia for the "good old days" and to exaggerate the hardships they faced during their childhood.

The phrase is rooted in a time when people lived in rural areas and traveled to school on foot. The image conjured up by the phrase is of a child trudging through snow and ice, facing harsh winds and steep inclines on their way to and from school. It is meant to evoke sympathy and admiration for the resilience and determination of these children, who were said to have walked uphill both ways despite the challenging conditions.

However, it is important to note that this phrase is not meant to be taken literally. In reality, most people did not have to walk uphill both ways to get to school. The phrase is simply a figure of speech and a way to express the idea that things were harder in the past than they are now.

In addition to its nostalgic and humorous connotations, the phrase is also a reminder that times have changed and that things are generally easier now than they were in the past. Many people today take for granted the convenience of cars, buses, and trains, which make it much easier to get around than it was in the past.

In conclusion, the phrase "when I was a kid, I walked to school uphill both ways" is a classic example of sarcasm and figurative speech. It is a humorous way of expressing nostalgia for the past and exaggerating the hardships faced by previous generations. It serves as a reminder that times have changed and that things are generally easier now than they were in the past.