Pretty good, in response to: “How are things going?”
This very modern-sounding phrase, which means one has nothing genuine to complain about (or at least will not admit it), comes from mid-nineteenth-century Britain. Eric Partridge cites an early example, R. S. Surtees’s Hawbuck Grange (1847), in which one character observes that time is passing lightly over another, who replies, “Middling—can’t complain.” Today it is a frequent response to inquiries about a business.
See also:
- “Fair to middling”: An expression indicating that things are neither particularly good nor particularly bad.
- “So-so”: Another way of expressing a moderate condition.
Synonyms:
- All right
- Not too bad
- Pretty decent
Antonyms:
- Miserable
- Terrible
Humor-filled Quotes:
- “I’m on a whiskey diet. I’ve lost three days already.” — Tommy Cooper
Proverbs:
- “Every cloud has a silver lining.” Trying to find a positive in a generally negative or lacking scenario.
References:
- R. S. Surtees, Hawbuck Grange, 1847
- Eric Partridge, A Dictionary of Catch Phrases
Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies:
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: Often explores the nuances of social pleasantries and the underlying real feelings.
- “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift: A modern pop anthem for brushing off negativity.
- Office Space (1999): A humorous take on modern work life where “Can’t complain” clichés abound.
Inspirational, Thought-Provoking Farewell:
Always remember: Sometimes it’s more about how you present your reality than the reality itself.
### Which of these is a real idiom?
- [x] Can't complain
- [ ] Fixing holes in the sky
- [ ] Joking with unicorns
- [ ] Running like a banana peel
> **Explanation:** "Can't complain" is a recognized phrase, meaning one's situation is not bad. The others just sound fun, but are not idioms!
### Which phrase is genuine?
- [ ] Dancing with jugglers
- [x] Pretty good
- [ ] Breeding dreams with hope
- [ ] Climbing onto stars
> **Explanation:** "Pretty good" is a genuine expression used to convey moderate positivity, unlike the fanciful, fictional ones here.
### True or False: 'Fair to middling' is a cliché
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** Definitely true. "Fair to middling" is an idiomatic expression dating track to approximate well-being.
