Mean

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Antonia

#84744 Tue, 29 Mar 05 08:22 AM

Can you please tell me
what is the meaning of mean in the context
of 'being lean and mean' (in the text about diets and being fit)?
Of optimal weight?
Thanks

Antonia

Joined on Fri, Mar 11 2005

Contributing Member (1,266)

CalifJim

#84747 Tue, 29 Mar 05 08:30 AM

It's a somewhat slang meaning: hard to defeat; hard to cope with.

One who is "lean and mean" is muscular and not to be challenged to a fight!

And then of course there's the attraction for rhymes regardless of the precision of the terms involved!

CJ

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (16,549)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

Antonia

#84767 Tue, 29 Mar 05 09:48 AM

Thank you CalifJim,
But what about the context here. It's not about fighting or being stronger than sb else. I came across this expression in the book about diet.
Does it really simply means being tough?

Antonia