What do you mean when you say someone is “not terrible looking”?

[Anonymous]

Is it a euphemism for ugly?

[RingOfFire]

Depends on how it is said, the context and the demeanor. If it is said facetiously, for example, which it sometimes has been, it could mean that the person saying it thinks the person they are saying it about is very attractive looking.

If it is said straightforwardly it likely means that their opinion of the look of the person they are talking about is that they are not really ugly but not really attractive either. Maybe somewhere in the average to below average range.

I would never say that directly to the person I am talking about (unless I was saying it facetiously) as I think it is a mean thing to say to someone. And it is also just an opinion.

[BoopBoopBeep]

Depends on the intonation.

Salma Hayak is not terrible looking.

Your sister with the hunchback... is... not... TERRIBLE looking... andimsureshehasagreatpersonality

[Z1pTD]

LMAO

[Flatmanlewis]

Okay. That was funny.

Salma is an absolute goddess.

[noemiii]

I want to add some other input that some people say this as to not directly compliment you. I had a guy, he just never wanted to say anything nice about me, and I asked him one day about what he thought about how I looked. He responded with “well, you’re not ugly” which is in that realm of what you asked. I am attractive and so I know he said that just to invoke insecurity.

Anyways, it’s a rude thing to say no matter what meaning the person saying it is going for. They’re trying to indirectly insult you whether they mean it or not.

[Rei13]

I think it would depend on context. It could be a compliment or an insult. You might be average in appearance (so not ugly, but not a knockout) so it can be a way to tell you that you’re not ugly, or it can also be an attempt to tear down your self esteem

[BunBun369]

Well it sounds like to me.. that they don't think of you as sexy but they think of you as passable.. or fuckable but not like their type type. I don't know 🤦🏽‍♀️ I couldn't think of the actually word lol

[Flatmanlewis]

I think it means they aren’t particularly high rated in the attractive department but also not unattractive. They could make it to the dating level depending on the rest of their personality and such.

[Pinay_ako]

It means not pretty but not ugly either 😂. It’s rude af 😂. I’d rather be called straight up ugly than that. Don’t try to sugarcoat my feelings.

[Ironic_Method]

I would say it's a compliment, but a poor one to mete out it being flirty. I wouldn't say it to someone's face as to not upset them, but I can substitute it for "pretty" without anyone getting the idea that I'm interested in them.

[jennifer_bloom]

I’d say that to a guy I don’t want to date cause I find if you give him a compliment, he might think you want to date him.

[Spongebobssocks]

I'd guess its a nice way of saying "you're ugly". I'm an ugly person so I'd know

[DarkWinterNights]

It’s a filler word when you’re put on the spot and not outright attracted to them, but you also are not repulsed by the thought of dating them.

[WhitneySnow]

It’s a backhanded compliment. Means they’re just average at best.

[anonmay1]

I would never say that. It’s immature but I suppose a person that did say it, is trying to communicate that the person in question is not good looking but wouldn’t fit the criteria of “ugly” either.

[Blueeyes81]

Usually just means the person is average to just below average.

[bananathunder]

Good enough looking to keep my dick hard while fuckin...

[Bloopbloopbloop]

It is a nice way of saying they are not attractive.

[Kingofkings1992]

It means they’re decent looking. They’re not ugly, but you don’t think they’re super attractive either.

[justabuddy]

Not ugly but not going to make money off their looks.

[Anonymous]

They're not ugly but not good looking either

[catarecute]

the person who says that is toxic.

[Brady]

I think it means you're in the middle in looks.

[Rich371ca]

Sounds like a nicer way of saying ugly

[Luckycharms12]

Not attracted to them

[Anonymous]

They are not very ugly

[boggboss]

Pretty much

[Asker]

Pretty much as in it is a nice way of saying someone is ugly?

[boggboss]

Or they are not attracted to her

[Ava1993]

Sounds like they're saying your average looking.