English grammar and such: On the Nature of Bookshelfs

[Steve]

---  "Geoff Bannister" <gbannister10 at ...> wrote:

> 
> Carol: 
> > ... For example, in math(s), two negatives make a
> > positive, so, logically, a double negative is a positive:
> > "I don't want none" means "I want some." ...
> 
> Geoff:
> I recall teaching that "I don't want none" is bad grammar and
> ..., but there are occasions - ... - that double negatives are
> used in English to produce certain nuances of meaning.
> 
> Consider as an example "I am happy with the outcome" with "I
> am not unhappy with the outcome". there is a subtle difference 
> between them. ... Thinking about this the other day, I 
> appreciated that this construction, which is a permissible 
> double negative, is used more often than I realised.
> 
> Geoff
> Who is not dissatisfied with the interesting way this thread
> has moved.
>

bboyminn:

I'm reminded of a regional vaguely double negative that I 
suspect is attributable to the sedate nature of local 
Scandinavians. It is the method of paying a Cook a compliment
by taking a bite and saying 'Mmmmm....not bad'. 

Now is the context that Geoff suggests, the underlying meaning
is neutral; implying "it's OK, but nothing special". But in 
the regional context where I live, it is the equivalent of
saying 'this food is very good'. But as I said, a sedate and
civil Scandinavian would never make such a bold statement as
'this is good', so rather he says, 'this is not bad'. 

Really every Cook I know takes 'not bad' as meaning 'very good'.
For whatever little logic that contains. 

Steve/bluewizard