Pretty (was Hella good Thanksgiving!)

[Stephanie Hysmith]

Pat wrote:
>Among Southeners of all ages and ethnic backgrounds, "pretty" is used for
>"very," but not for "very, very."   For "oikay," I've often heard, "so so"
>and "fair to middling."
>
I've always understood "pretty" to mean "sort of" or "leaning toward"
rather than "very." Someone "pretty ugly" (always love this one) is more
attractive than someone "really ugly." "Pretty good" is okay but not
excellent. It's how someone would rate a dish that was reasonably
palatable, but might not be ordered again.