Matthew's Journal

I said other, because as others have said it depends on context and also because of I how I thought I used it in response to 'how are you?' but reading the responses I remembered that the phrase I actually use is 'not too bad' which actually means a range of things from nearly fine to not brilliant at all, but I'm trying to disguise that without actually lying. 'Not too bad' means things could be worse but they aren't particularly positive, but I'm happy for you to accept that I'm being understated. It's less misleading than 'fine' when I'm not while being a reasonably content free response to 'how are you?' which after all is basically a phatic expression, but if someone actually wants content they can pursue it.