Is it talking about Midland, Texas?
2007-01-27 06:42:33 · 10 answers · asked by michaelyoung_airforce 6 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
I think it's rather humorous that all but one of the first five responders gave you a definition, instead of answering the question you asked...I'm a teacher, so I deal with that a lot in the classroom.
So, you know what it means, and, yes, the real phrase is "fair to middling", but degenerates to "fair to middlin'" due to economy of speech issues. The "fair to Midland" is either a mis-hearing OR as one location stated, an intentional modification of the phrase by Texans due to there being a Midland, Texas. I didn't not investigate this for accuracy.
What you really want to know can be found at this page of a language origin site I found:
http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-fai4.htm
This second site provides additional info and dates!!
http://www.wordwizard.com/ch_forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6742&SearchTerms=fair,to,middling
(If this second link doesn't work, simply go to www.wordwizard.com and type in the string "fair to middling" in the site's search window.
Hope it's what you were looking for!!
Lee
PS: Do I get the "best answer" nomination?? HAHAHAHA!!
2007-01-27 07:33:26 · answer #1 · answered by DLee1210 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The actual phrase is Elizabethan English and is pronounced, "fair to middling" which means about average. With a southern accent it sounds a lot like middle'n, or Midland.
2007-01-27 06:50:32 · answer #2 · answered by Suzianne 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Many caucasions are refered to as Fair skinned, especially some blondes and red heads. It is not a racial terms just describes a peron complex thats all.
2016-03-29 05:13:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its fair to middling not midland
2007-01-27 06:46:59 · answer #4 · answered by dumplingmuffin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
TRUCKERS USE THIS TERM AS EXACTLY THAT. MIDLAND. BEING MIDLAND MADE THE BEST CB RADIO ANYTHING LESS IS NOT UP TO PAR. FAIR MEANING FAIR MIDLAND IS THE BEST. ITS NOT CORRECT FROM THE REAL MEANING BUT THAT'S HOW TRUCKERS THINK. THIS IS HOW IT BECAME FROM MIDDLIN OR MIDDLING. AND TRUCKERS USE THIS TERM MORE THAN ANYONE.
2017-02-20 17:00:48 · answer #5 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My father used that phrase a lot ~ but I believe the expression is "fair to middlin' " (middlin' being average, or in the middle.) It means that what ever you are discussing is "OK." Not great, but not lousy.
2007-01-27 06:49:35 · answer #6 · answered by CallaLillie 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The term is actually "Fair to Middling" - as in the 'middle'.
2007-01-27 07:21:21 · answer #7 · answered by bob l 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's "fair to middlin'" where middlin' means middling. It has the idea of "fair to average".
2007-01-27 06:47:07 · answer #8 · answered by ecolink 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the term is fair to midling...it means about average...no great shakes...like your comprehension of the english language...
2007-01-27 06:47:02 · answer #9 · answered by techteach03 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not sure of origin, but meaning "moderately good," "OK but not great," or "so-so.
2007-01-27 08:41:05 · answer #10 · answered by Gary S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋