Etymology Journal ยท N
Not too bad
Meaning
- This is the ultimate understated compliment. It means that something is actually quite good, but the speaker refuses to be overly enthusiastic about it.
Understated, humble
Used in a sentence
- How is the new casserole? It is not too bad at all.
- I asked the mechanic if he could fix the truck and he said it was not too bad.
- Did you like the concert? Honestly, it was not too bad.
The backstory
This is a product of classic American stoicism. It is rooted in the tendency to avoid bragging or showing too much emotion about personal successes.
Heard in
Midwest
Vibe check