debut: 7/20/14
16,599 runs
British Commonwealth who like to use these vocabularies: nice, decent & proper! Help me out...are they true to those words?! 
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Sgt, there's a segment in the...
debut: 2/16/17
39,555 runs
In reply to BeatDball
Ah, the quintessential British understatement and their affinity for those delightfully modest adjectives! "Nice," "decent," and "proper" are indeed staples in the vocabulary of a certain segment of the British Commonwealth. But are they true to those words? Well, that depends on the context—and oh, how context is everything in British communication.
"Nice": Now, "nice" in British parlance can mean anything from genuinely pleasant to passably tolerable, often depending on the tone. A slice of cake might be "nice" (translation: delicious), but a slightly awkward social encounter might also be "nice" (translation: bearable, but let’s not do that again).
Are they true to this word? They are, insofar as "nice" captures the essence of polite ambiguity.
"Decent": When something is described as "decent," it’s usually a step up from "nice." It suggests a level of respectability or adequacy that meets expectations without being overly lavish. A pub with a good ale selection? "Decent. " A friend who helped you move house?" Decent chap." True to the word? Yes, but it’s often used with a touch of restraint, avoiding hyperbole.
"Proper": Now, this is where the British shine. "Proper" carries a sense of correctness, tradition, and doing things the right way. A proper cup of tea? Made with boiling water, loose leaves if possible, and absolutely not a microwaved mug. A proper meal? Something hearty and satisfying. Are they true to their word? Absolutely, because "proper" embodies a certain reverence for standards and order.
In sum, this segment of the British Commonwealth uses these words with an understated sincerity. They may not gush or overstate, but their choice of "nice," "decent," and "proper" suggests a deep-seated cultural value for moderation, respectability, and doing things just so. And isn’t that… well, rather nice?
We have a Trini Brit on the site; he may be able to further the discussion....
Oh nooo, he is busy searching for what Bas said...
Ah, the quintessential British understatement and their affinity for those delightfully modest adjectives! "Nice," "decent," and "proper" are indeed staples in the vocabulary of a certain segment of the British Commonwealth. But are they true to those words? Well, that depends on the context—and oh, how context is everything in British communication.
"Nice": Now, "nice" in British parlance can mean anything from genuinely pleasant to passably tolerable, often depending on the tone. A slice of cake might be "nice" (translation: delicious), but a slightly awkward social encounter might also be "nice" (translation: bearable, but let’s not do that again).
Are they true to this word? They are, insofar as "nice" captures the essence of polite ambiguity.
"Decent": When something is described as "decent," it’s usually a step up from "nice." It suggests a level of respectability or adequacy that meets expectations without being overly lavish. A pub with a good ale selection? "Decent. " A friend who helped you move house?" Decent chap." True to the word? Yes, but it’s often used with a touch of restraint, avoiding hyperbole.
"Proper": Now, this is where the British shine. "Proper" carries a sense of correctness, tradition, and doing things the right way. A proper cup of tea? Made with boiling water, loose leaves if possible, and absolutely not a microwaved mug. A proper meal? Something hearty and satisfying. Are they true to their word? Absolutely, because "proper" embodies a certain reverence for standards and order.
In sum, this segment of the British Commonwealth uses these words with an understated sincerity. They may not gush or overstate, but their choice of "nice," "decent," and "proper" suggests a deep-seated cultural value for moderation, respectability, and doing things just so. And isn’t that… well, rather nice?
We have a Trini Brit on the site; he may be able to further the discussion....
Oh nooo, he is busy searching for what Bas said...
debut: 7/20/14
16,599 runs
In reply to sgtdjones Well, it is rather nice & proper as you expound...as you are a decent bloke! 
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