This is a situation where someone accomplishes something of little to no value or importance, or fails miserably. Extra bonus points are given if the "accomplishing" party is proud of the non-accomplishment or failure.
As Jimmy stood up from his Quaker oatmeal, he noticed a warm sensation in his pants as he had wet himself. Jimmy laughed and proclaimed with pride, "Oops I earned my spade!"
Situation that drivers encounter when some a-hole in the other car makes a dumb manuever. Then you notice their handicaplicense plate. It becomes evident that they "earned the tag"
ME: "YOu won't beleive what happened on they way home. I was on the highway and this jerk off enterered the road without merging. After I slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting someone who truly deserved it did I notice the handicap tag."
You: "Yeah, they must've earned the tag... what are you gonna do?"