Mean

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Liveinjapan

#512995 Tue, 13 May 08 04:16 AM

Mean has several meanings.

A mean woman.

Which does it mean, a good woman or a not kind woman?

Thanks
LiJ

Joined on Sun, Feb 4 2007

Osaka, Japan

Contributing Member (1,455)

Please feel free to correct any words I wrote.LiJ

Clive

#513003 Tue, 13 May 08 05:13 AM

Hi,

It does have several meanings. Without any context, I'd guess unkind, or perhaps stingy.

Clive

Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004

Canada

Veteran Member (19,499)

El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

CalifJim

#513058 Tue, 13 May 08 08:35 AM

Liveinjapan
A mean woman.
Which does it mean, a good woman or a not kind woman?

I wonder how you got the idea a mean woman might be a good woman. Huh?

mean in this context (applied to a person) brings to my mind (besides unkind, which you already mentioned)

nasty, inconsiderate, vicious, vindictive, malicious, petty, wicked, callous, cruel, and heartless.

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (16,003)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

Clive

#513119 Tue, 13 May 08 01:41 PM

Hi,

There is a certain type of slang that seems to be based on using a word with its opposite meaning.

eg The rock opera 'Tommy' featured someone deaf, dumb and blind who "sure played a mean pinball".

But I doubt that that is the intended meaning in our example of the woman.

Best wishes, Clive

Liveinjapan

#513158 Tue, 13 May 08 02:37 PM

Thanks, Clive and CJ.

Got it!