Mean coffee

Question

When speaking about the quality of a cup of coffee, what is the meaning of "mean coffee"?Does it mean "being below the normal standard"?

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1] When speaking about the quality of a cup of coffee, what is the meaning of "mean coffee"?Does it mean "being below the normalstandard"?[/nq]
No, "mean" in this context is a colloquial expression meaning "quite good," with just a hint of indiscretion.

M.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2] When speaking about the quality of a cup of coffee, what is the meaning of "mean coffee"?Does it mean "being below the normal[/nq]
[nq:1]standard"? No, "mean" in this context is a colloquial expression meaning "quite good," with just a hint of indiscretion. M.And what is the meaning of "bad coffee"?Does it mean "quite good"?[/nq]

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]standard"? No, "mean" in this context is a colloquial expression meaning "quite good," with just a hint of indiscretion. M.[/nq]
[nq:1]And what is the meaning of "bad coffee"?Does it mean "quite good"?[/nq]
[nq:1]When speaking about the quality of a cup of coffee, what is the meaning of "mean coffee"?Does it mean "being below the normal standard"?[/nq]
No, here 'mean coffee' definitely means 'it's a good cup of coffee.' 'Bad coffee', in current usage, almost certainly means exactly what it sounds like; 'it's a bad cup of coffee'.

From time to time slang usages crop up where an adjective is used ironically, in more or less the opposite meaning to that given in the dictionary.

'Bad' to mean 'good' is very late 1980s early 1990s gangster slang - around the time Michael Jackson made an album called Bad (not to mention the usage 'a bad mf'). Mean is much more long-lived, going back decades at least, and still usable. I'd guess both started as street terms of respect for tough fighters - someone who's 'mean' (or 'bad') is determined, strong, not to be tangled with, doesn't give up till the bitter end... a lot like how some people like their coffee!

A similar very current use amongst younger BrE speakers, which I really like, is 'fierce'

"How was the new club night?" "Fierce, man."

Such usages are very heavily nuanced and can become very dated very quickly, and as a non-native speaker you are probably well advised not to use them to avoid confusion - although you're probably OK with a 'mean cup of coffee'.

Respect DC Cat

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Such usages are very heavily nuanced and can become very dated very quickly, and as a non-native speaker you are ... of coffee" was the catch-phrase of the FBI agent (what was his name?) in David Lynch's TV series "Twin Peaks".[/nq]
Regards, Einde O'Callaghan

Usenet · Answer

It was Agent Cooper, although I thought the line was "**** fine coffee".

He also appreciated pies.

DC Cat

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]It was Agent Cooper, although I thought the line was "**** fine coffee". Perhaps I'm mixing him up with somebody else - it's a long time since I watched english-language television in any quantity.[/nq]
Regards, Einde O'Callaghan
[nq:1]He also appreciated pies. DC Cat[/nq]

Mean coffee

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