Settle a Bet for Me

[SKO]

Do you consider there to be a difference between "fine" and "mediocre"? Would you use them as synonyms? Which one would you say is better, if they are not synonyms.

[Tonker]

Mediocre definitely has negative connotations.

[Quality Start Machine]

Do you consider there to be a difference between "fine" and "mediocre"? Would you use them as synonyms? Which one would you say is better, if they are not synonyms.

There are restaurants that promise "fine dining", you can say Jennifer Lawrence is fine as hell.

Mediocre would definitely be on a level somewhere below that.

[Yeti]

Do you consider there to be a difference between "fine" and "mediocre"? Would you use them as synonyms? Which one would you say is better, if they are not synonyms.

For me, the only time "fine" and "mediocre" are somewhat closely related is when you say "I'm fine" which, to me, is a middle of the road response and could have similar standing to mediocre. Beyond that, Fine >> Mediocre.

Fun times in Iowa

[ChuckD]

If the context here is that your wife said she's "fine" with you doing something -- she's not fine with you doing it.

[Armchair_QB]

Pay the man.

[Quality Start Machine]

If the context here is that your wife said she's "fine" with you doing something -- she's not fine with you doing it.

It's worse if you have a first name that starts with F, so both the "Fine" and "Frank" can get hissed out.

[CT III]

Since SKO is apparently not going to provide us with any context, here's my take:


Fine wine, fine dining, fine arts > Mediocre

How was your day? Fine. = Mediocre

I'm gonna be out until 3am with the guys tonight. FINE. < Mediocre

[Eli]

Do you consider there to be a difference between "fine" and "mediocre"? Would you use them as synonyms? Which one would you say is better, if they are not synonyms.

I think fine, when not attached to dining/wine/etc., is neutral. "My day was fine." Basically, you're saying nothing and moving on in the conversation.

Mediocre is technically supposed to mean "middling" but I think its meaning has changed and become something that means below average.

Basically, fine is the new mediocre.

[ChuckD]

Do you consider there to be a difference between "fine" and "mediocre"? Would you use them as synonyms? Which one would you say is better, if they are not synonyms.

I think fine, when not attached to dining/wine/etc., is neutral. "My day was fine." Basically, you're saying nothing and moving on in the conversation.

Mediocre is technically supposed to mean "middling" but I think its meaning has changed and become something that means below average.

Basically, fine is the new mediocre.

God damn, Millenials!

[InternetApex]

Do you consider there to be a difference between "fine" and "mediocre"? Would you use them as synonyms? Which one would you say is better, if they are not synonyms.

I think fine, when not attached to dining/wine/etc., is neutral. "My day was fine." Basically, you're saying nothing and moving on in the conversation.

Mediocre is technically supposed to mean "middling" but I think its meaning has changed and become something that means below average.

Basically, fine is the new mediocre.

I think this is right. Mediocre is used to describe something straddling the line between good and bad and where more is expected. When people without vaginas say something is fine, they most often mean that this situation is good enough and they consider this matter now closed.

[SKO]

If the context here is that your wife said she's "fine" with you doing something -- she's not fine with you doing it.

No this is not related to that. I am smart enough to recognize that.

My friend said an actress was "fine" in a movie, then later said she was "mediocre" in the movie, and insisted the two were synonyms, while I argued mediocre most definitely is a worse thing to call someone than fine.

[SKO]

DPD, but fine, when used 90% of the time in daily conversation, means "good but ordinary." I had a fine day= my day was good, but nothing of note occurred. Mediocre is definitely like "meets bare minimum standards but is in no way good."

used in a sentence: "Mark DeRosa is a fine second baseman" whereas "Jason Marquis is a mediocre 5th starter"

[CT III]

DPD, but fine, when used 90% of the time in daily conversation, means "good but ordinary." I had a fine day= my day was good, but nothing of note occurred. Mediocre is definitely like "meets bare minimum standards but is in no way good."

used in a sentence: "Mark DeRosa is a fine second baseman" whereas "Jason Marquis is a mediocre 5th starter"

I feel like you came up with this example specifically to enrage Huey as much as possible.

So, bravo.

[PenFoe]

DPD, but fine, when used 90% of the time in daily conversation, means "good but ordinary." I had a fine day= my day was good, but nothing of note occurred. Mediocre is definitely like "meets bare minimum standards but is in no way good."

used in a sentence: "Mark DeRosa is a fine second baseman" whereas "Jason Marquis is a mediocre 5th starter"

I feel like you came up with this example specifically to enrage Huey as much as possible.

So, bravo.