Having deep industry knowledge, a product with paying customers and spending a lot of time preparing the application and video is not "hacking" the application process.

I typically think of the term in the way it's used in the question "Please tell us about the time you most successfully hacked some (non-computer) system to your advantage." I.e. something like finding a loophole.

It's too bad, this diverts the discussion on that post around the use of the word, whereas there is some good stuff in there.

if you read the answer to that very question on their application it falls pretty much in line with your parent's characterization: "did a bunch of research and spent a bunch of time on [drafting some legal documents]"

I've noticed that too. Alas, everybody wants a shortcut -- and the word 'hacked' implies that someone found one (for stories like these).

Yeah - except they didn't find a shortcut. They just worked really hard and prepared. That's a good thing - but it's not "a hack." That word is just being overused now to the point of hilarity.

I think it also makes the link that much more attractive to readers:

"How we Did A Very Good Job on the Y Combinator Application Process and Got in"

versus

"How we Hacked the Y Combinator Application Process and Got in"

There's a word for when you choose a snappier title that doesn't reflect reality to get more clicks.

It's called linkbait.

"How we got into YC: by storming the building with assault rifles and smoke grenades!"

Now that article I would read.

For once "Pics or it didn't happen," might actually be on-topic!