First of all i am not sure about this issue       please advise me if there is any mistake   in my report.

 for example in python 3.6.3 shell:

>>> x= "The meaning of life" 

>>> x.strip("meaning")

'The meaning of lif'

As you see the letter "e" of  the word "life"  is removed.

Sincerely yours.

J.Mohammadi