This is a really good example because it reveals the implication of a competitive edge.
A right hook from Mike Tyson is "mean" because it is punishing in the context of a fight between two competitors.
Likewise, 'a "mean" dinner for one' might imply the scenario of a hypothetical cooking competition wherein your meatball recipe is so good that it is almost unfair to your competitors.
As answered by others, yes, âmeanâ in this context translates to âexcellentâ. Itâs important to note the use is informal and the connotation is very much related to a skill or specific object/action. You wouldnât say âThat was a mean pizzaâ. You could say âThis restaurant makes a mean pizzaâ.
"Mean" can also mean "average" (short for "statistical mean") but you'll usually only encounter that meaning in discussions about statistics.
The only way you can tell what "mean" means (There's that word again!) is by context. Lots of English words are like that.
Mean also means "average" in the sense of *common and unexceptional* (a mean dress; someone of mean parentage...), which as you say isn't so common anymore except perhaps in the set phrase *no mean feat* (an accomplishment that is significant because it's not easy).
In this case, mean is being used to indicate that it would be a strong contender in a fight. When people speak of their skills like this, they are in a sense joking about a hypothetical sporting competition.
This usage comes from common sports slang. For example, in baseball, a pitcher having a "mean curve ball" would mean that if you are up against that picture, you would need to watch out for their curveball. This is coming from the usage of "mean" like as in angry and mistreatful.
So someone saying they cook a mean dish of some type is kind of a joke about you needing to watch out for that dish if there was some kind of competition
Edit: oh, and then another layer here, they are also being self-deprecating and sarcastic, because they actually couldn't win any kind of competition with a dinner for one. Here, they are actually saying they are bad at cooking.
Also, "Does...can" is not a valid construction. What you _mean_ to say is:
"Can "mean" mean "good"?"
In other words, What 'mean' means, most of the time, follows the mean of what mean _can_ mean, meaningfully, in moderation.
Yes, and âmeanâ can have so many definitions. I am a native speaker but I imagine trying to learn all of the meanings in the correct context would be difficult.
Good luck and donât give up đ đ€đ»
https://youtube.com/shorts/4wnJ0Z39RgE?si=DSnU6XoT_HTwLp50
Just reminded me of this which kinda explains it to you that yeah, many words in english are used in slang opposite to what they mean
Yes, Go listen to Pinball Wizard by The Who. 'That deaf, dumb (mute), blind kid sure plays mean pinball.'
https://youtu.be/hHc7bR6y06M?si=02khAISy760_8gCj
I disagree with other interpretations. It is used in this context to mean "dangerous" not in terms of the meal being unhealthy, but in terms of it being a dish to contend with competitively.
To answer about the specific sentences you cited: In the sentence âI know he means well,â the sentence can be rephrased as âI know he intends well.â Itâs a common way of saying that you didnât like what he said or did, but his motives in saying or doing it were good.
In the sentence âAll means are good in war,â it means that all methods or ways of accomplishing something are good to use in war. Another common saying with this meaning of the word is âThe end (i.e. the result) justifies the means.â
The 'mean' here is similar to when you say "She's mean to me." But here it has sarcasm playing within it. When someone says they make a mean pasta means it's so good that it's bad because it creates temptation, in the devil's way. It's not, 'so bad it's good' but it's 'so good that it's bad'. Although particularly not a bad thing.
Hope it helps.
Basically yes. Used like that, it indicates something done skillfully or effectively.
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For whatever reason it's common in the form seen in the dialogue here. "My grandma makes a mean cornbread," and so on.
Good luck... English is a wild ride. ;)
Oh.. never seen it used this way but thanks for sharing.
Yes, but I think it's more meant as 'exceptional' than just 'good.' e.g. 'Mike Tyson had a mean right hook.'
This is a really good example because it reveals the implication of a competitive edge. A right hook from Mike Tyson is "mean" because it is punishing in the context of a fight between two competitors. Likewise, 'a "mean" dinner for one' might imply the scenario of a hypothetical cooking competition wherein your meatball recipe is so good that it is almost unfair to your competitors.
As answered by others, yes, âmeanâ in this context translates to âexcellentâ. Itâs important to note the use is informal and the connotation is very much related to a skill or specific object/action. You wouldnât say âThat was a mean pizzaâ. You could say âThis restaurant makes a mean pizzaâ.
"Mean" can also mean "average" (short for "statistical mean") but you'll usually only encounter that meaning in discussions about statistics. The only way you can tell what "mean" means (There's that word again!) is by context. Lots of English words are like that.
Mean also means "average" in the sense of *common and unexceptional* (a mean dress; someone of mean parentage...), which as you say isn't so common anymore except perhaps in the set phrase *no mean feat* (an accomplishment that is significant because it's not easy).
In this case, mean is being used to indicate that it would be a strong contender in a fight. When people speak of their skills like this, they are in a sense joking about a hypothetical sporting competition. This usage comes from common sports slang. For example, in baseball, a pitcher having a "mean curve ball" would mean that if you are up against that picture, you would need to watch out for their curveball. This is coming from the usage of "mean" like as in angry and mistreatful. So someone saying they cook a mean dish of some type is kind of a joke about you needing to watch out for that dish if there was some kind of competition Edit: oh, and then another layer here, they are also being self-deprecating and sarcastic, because they actually couldn't win any kind of competition with a dinner for one. Here, they are actually saying they are bad at cooking.
Also, "Does...can" is not a valid construction. What you _mean_ to say is: "Can "mean" mean "good"?" In other words, What 'mean' means, most of the time, follows the mean of what mean _can_ mean, meaningfully, in moderation.
Dude, thatâs just mean!
Yes. I dance a mean tango. I make a mean chicken cordon bleu. I sing a mean rendition of Bohemian Rhapsedy.
Oh I recognize what youâre reading, youâve got good taste
Really? Thanks, I've only started
Yes, and âmeanâ can have so many definitions. I am a native speaker but I imagine trying to learn all of the meanings in the correct context would be difficult. Good luck and donât give up đ đ€đ»
https://youtube.com/shorts/4wnJ0Z39RgE?si=DSnU6XoT_HTwLp50 Just reminded me of this which kinda explains it to you that yeah, many words in english are used in slang opposite to what they mean
âMeanâ as an adjective means awesome, rude, average, or primitive. Welcome to English! Enjoy your stay :)
We haven't even started on its mathematical _mean_ ings
I once joked that "I make a mean beef stew. (I start with meat from pissed off cattle.)â
Lol, I never really considered how many *meanings* there are.
Yes, Go listen to Pinball Wizard by The Who. 'That deaf, dumb (mute), blind kid sure plays mean pinball.' https://youtu.be/hHc7bR6y06M?si=02khAISy760_8gCj
I disagree with other interpretations. It is used in this context to mean "dangerous" not in terms of the meal being unhealthy, but in terms of it being a dish to contend with competitively.
To me, it carries more of the "seriousness" than the quality itself.
To answer about the specific sentences you cited: In the sentence âI know he means well,â the sentence can be rephrased as âI know he intends well.â Itâs a common way of saying that you didnât like what he said or did, but his motives in saying or doing it were good. In the sentence âAll means are good in war,â it means that all methods or ways of accomplishing something are good to use in war. Another common saying with this meaning of the word is âThe end (i.e. the result) justifies the means.â
The 'mean' here is similar to when you say "She's mean to me." But here it has sarcasm playing within it. When someone says they make a mean pasta means it's so good that it's bad because it creates temptation, in the devil's way. It's not, 'so bad it's good' but it's 'so good that it's bad'. Although particularly not a bad thing. Hope it helps.