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Usenet Posted 22 years ago
Usage
I'm good
Nowadays I hear the expression "I'm good" used in conversation:
(1) As a negative response to offers of service, typically at the table, such as "Can I get you anything?" or "Would you like another drink?"
(2) As a reply to the question "How are you?" when it's being used as a greeting.
How old and how widespread are these usages?
Mark Brader, Toronto > "Where is down special?" ... "Good." (Email Removed) > "Do you refuse to answer my question?" "Don't know."
My text in this article is in the public domain.
(1) As a negative response to offers of service, typically at the table, such as "Can I get you anything?" or "Would you like another drink?"
(2) As a reply to the question "How are you?" when it's being used as a greeting.
How old and how widespread are these usages?
Mark Brader, Toronto > "Where is down special?" ... "Good." (Email Removed) > "Do you refuse to answer my question?" "Don't know."
My text in this article is in the public domain.
Top answer
"[/nq] It took me a while to realize that "I'm good" or "I'm OK" is a negative response. This usage still puzzles me. In form it sounds like a polite rejection, but in substance is not: "Would you like a cup of coffee"?
- "[/nq] It took me a while to realize that "I'm good" or "I'm OK" is a negative response.
- This usage still puzzles me.
- In form it sounds like a polite rejection, but in substance is not: "Would you like a cup of coffee"?
- "No, I'm good without your coffee.
- Your coffee will make me worse".
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28 Answers
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[nq:1]Nowadays I hear the expression "I'm good" used in conversation: (1) As a negative response to offers of service, typically at the table, such as "Can I get you anything?" or "Would you like another drink?"[/nq]
It took me a while to realize that "I'm good" or "I'm OK" is a negative response.
This usage still puzzles me. In form it sounds like a polite rejection, but in substance is n
It took me a while to realize that "I'm good" or "I'm OK" is a negative response.
This usage still puzzles me. In form it sounds like a polite rejection, but in substance is n
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[nq:2]Nowadays I hear the expression "I'm good" used in conversation: ... I get you anything?" or "Would you like another drink?"[/nq]
[nq:1]It took me a while to realize that "I'm good" or "I'm OK" is a negative response. This usage still ... not: "Would you like a cup of coffee"? "No, I'm good without your coffee. Your coffee will make me worse".[/nq]
Following them with 'thank you' larg
[nq:1]It took me a while to realize that "I'm good" or "I'm OK" is a negative response. This usage still ... not: "Would you like a cup of coffee"? "No, I'm good without your coffee. Your coffee will make me worse".[/nq]
Following them with 'thank you' larg
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[nq:1]Nowadays I hear the expression "I'm good" used in conversation: (1) As a negative response to offers of service, typically ... the question "How are you?" when it's being used as a greeting. How old and how widespread are these usages?[/nq]
Here in Hawaii, I first heard it
about five years ago. The usage
is very common now.
Jai Maharaj
Here in Hawaii, I first heard it
about five years ago. The usage
is very common now.
Jai Maharaj
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Arcadian Rises typed thus:
[nq:2]Nowadays I hear the expression "I'm good" used in conversation: ... I get you anything?" or "Would you like another drink?"[/nq]
[nq:1]It took me a while to realize that "I'm good" or "I'm OK" is a negative response.[/nq]
It's not really negative - it's a positive assertion that the speaker is satisfied with the current situation.
David
==
[nq:2]Nowadays I hear the expression "I'm good" used in conversation: ... I get you anything?" or "Would you like another drink?"[/nq]
[nq:1]It took me a while to realize that "I'm good" or "I'm OK" is a negative response.[/nq]
It's not really negative - it's a positive assertion that the speaker is satisfied with the current situation.
David
==
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[nq:1]Nowadays I hear the expression "I'm good" used in conversation: (1) As a negative response to offers of service, typically ... the question "How are you?" when it's being used as a greeting. How old and how widespread are these usages?[/nq]
Here in Hawaii, I first heard it
about five years ago. The usage
is very common now.
Jai Maharaj
Here in Hawaii, I first heard it
about five years ago. The usage
is very common now.
Jai Maharaj
00
[nq:1]Following them with 'thank you' largely solves that problem, I think. 'I'm fine, thank you' is another version. I wouldn't ... in Ireland. Also, the question itself is generally worded 'Are you all right?, here. One hears it all the time.[/nq]
I recollect the appropriate answer is 'If I was any better I couldn't stand it'.
John Dean
Oxford
I recollect the appropriate answer is 'If I was any better I couldn't stand it'.
John Dean
Oxford
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[nq:1]Nowadays I hear the expression "I'm good" used in conversation: (1) As a negative response to offers of service, typically ... the question "How are you?" when it's being used as a greeting. How old and how widespread are these usages?[/nq]
I don't know how old it is, but it's used by some radio talk show hosts here.
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
I don't know how old it is, but it's used by some radio talk show hosts here.
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
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[nq:1]Arcadian Rises "Would you like a cup of coffee"? "No, I'm good without your coffee. Your coffee will make me worse".[/nq]
Not at all! It's like saying, "I'm fine", "I'm content how I am", "I don't need anything else to make me better". It's like if you ****** once, you can ****** again right away. But, sometimes people are good after just one ******. It's enough pleasure for the time bei
Not at all! It's like saying, "I'm fine", "I'm content how I am", "I don't need anything else to make me better". It's like if you ****** once, you can ****** again right away. But, sometimes people are good after just one ******. It's enough pleasure for the time bei
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Jahari:
[nq:2]How old and how widespread are these usages?[/nq]
[nq:1]Here in Hawaii, I first heard it about five years ago. The usage is very common now.[/nq]
Good to be on-topic for a change! Props! Now...if only you could resolve that name issue...
But, we can't expect miracles overnight. Anyhoo, I can't believe people feel "I'm good" is new! I can't remember a time when I first
[nq:2]How old and how widespread are these usages?[/nq]
[nq:1]Here in Hawaii, I first heard it about five years ago. The usage is very common now.[/nq]
Good to be on-topic for a change! Props! Now...if only you could resolve that name issue...
But, we can't expect miracles overnight. Anyhoo, I can't believe people feel "I'm good" is new! I can't remember a time when I first
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[nq:1]Nowadays I hear the expression "I'm good" used in conversation: (1) As a negative response to offers of service, typically ... question "How are you?" when it's being used as a greeting. How old and how widespread are these usages? [/nq]
I first (2) in about 1989, out of the mouth of an American exchange student in France. A friend of hers had spotted her across the square and called out
I first (2) in about 1989, out of the mouth of an American exchange student in France. A friend of hers had spotted her across the square and called out
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