Why would it be a strong word? Here it is, in src/ls.c: https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils
It is then packaged by tens of operating system distributions, who themselves maintain extra patchsets, some of which are then upstreamed.
It is installed and used on millions (billions?) of devices, for 3 decades.
It's a very reliable and trusty "sharp stick of metal" :)
