The Archive

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