The Go compiler used to be written in C, but transitioned to being written in Go around version 1.4 (IIRC). I believe that the Go compiler toolchain is rooted on that version (i.e., you can eventually compile the current Go compiler if you start with the compiler binary produced using Go 1.4). I don't remember the reference describing the situation in detail.

30mb hello world binary that dials 8.8.8.8 suddenly makes sense now..

And AWK, and C. And Unix.

There's no "T" in "AWK".

You're right.