📚 Fair to Middling: So-So Expressions in Everyday Life
“How are you?”
“Fair to middling.”
An answer as timeless as it is unassuming. Dating back to the mid-nineteenth century, this phrase has American roots, and it’s a classic example of mid-level indifference masquerading as optimism.
🚶♂️ Origins and Fables
The term “fair to middling” first showed up in literature thanks to our buddy Artemus Ward in 1865 (“The men are fair to middling”). However, its exact origins remain somewhat blurry, meandering like the Kentucky Bourbon trail – delightful yet elusive.
👉 Similar Phrases:
- Can’t complain
- Hanging in there
- So-so
- Not too shabby
🤣 Humor-filled Quote:
“Why be extraordinary? ‘Fair to middling’ never had a problem fitting in at the mediocrity club!” 😏
🌟 Suggested Literature & Media:
- 🍎 Fair to Middling: Mediocrity Achievements - Short stories by John Nothingburger
- 🎥 Middle of the Road: Movies that Define Ordinary from Netflix’s “Barely There” series
- 🎼 Hits of So-So: An album of everyone’s least favorite middle hits by Moderate Marvin
✋ Antonyms:
- Excellent
- Superb
- Outstanding
🧐 Thought-Provoking Titbits:
Is being “fair to middling” the key to balancing life’s expectations? It’s mediocrity with a twist of acceptance, rarely challenged but often content. After all, isn’t consistency underrated?
🎉 An Inspirational Thought
“Mediocrity is the perfect disguise for those planning exceptional things in the background. Remember, great artists often started with stick figures.”
Signing off, Les Marshians
© 2023
