"Nice and" expression question.

[Steve]

---  "zanooda2" <zanooda2 at ...> wrote:
>
> ... Is it true that in the expression "nice and" with the 
> following adjective (for example, "nice and warm" sweater) the
> word "nice" doesn't have it's own meaning, but just intensifies
> the second adjective? Some dictionaries explain it like this, 
> ...
> 
> The "nice and" expression is used ... in the HP books, for 
> instance, Ollivander likes to use it while describing wands. 
> So what, for example, "nice and supple" (Harry's wand) means? 
> ...
> 
> 
> zanooda
>

bboyminn:

I think you understand the meaning perfectly. We can debate the
origins and meanings of the word 'nice', but I think in this 
case, it is, as you say, merely an intensifier or modifier. 

In your first example, of a sweater described as 'nice and warm'.
If we break it apart, we see a 'nice sweater' and a 'warm 
sweater'. In this case, a nice sweater could be 'nice' by any
one of several measure. It could be nice and expensive. It
could be nice and comfortable. It could simply appear pleasing
to the fashionable eye. 

But in the context, of 'nice and warm', I don't think 'nice'
has any of those meanings. It just expands and intensifies the
description. 

Again, if we use Ollivander's 'nice and supple', it simply means
supple in a way that is pleasing to the user. But, we have to 
consider that in the context of the story, Mr. Ollivander has
a preference for supple wands, so, of course, he would think 
them 'nice'. But, again, I think he is just adding emphasis. 
He is expanding and intensifying the value of suppleness.

While Ollivander find his wands 'nice and supple', I suspect
Gregorovich find those wands unpleasantly bendy. But that's
another discussion.

Steve/bluewizard