I know little-to-nothing about stock trading. Can someone please give me the "Dummie's" version of

[uncle ray]

17. it depends.

disclaimer: layperson here.

some shorts can have a defined deadline. some can be open ended, but you are paying interest every day your short is open. this is where it gets interesting with the GME situation. some hedge funds borrowed more shares than actually exist. they MUST find shares to buy to close out their short positions. the shares simply do not exist to do that. wallstreetbets is exploiting that situation, buying and HOLDING shares so there are even fewer shares available for those shorting the stock to buy. you now have to pay the astronomical price being asked, and then resell the stock at a loss so your other hedge fund buddies can close out their shorts. many of the retail buyers have dug in their heels and say they will NEVER sell. the MSM is not doing a great job on covering this. this is 100% about sticking it to the hedge funds at any cost.