a mean throwing arm

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you ne kind enough to imterpret the expression in bold from the following sentence?

While watching his sad, bookish niece after school because her mom works late, he notes that Jasmine has a mean throwing arm.He starts to train her and the local coach (Matt Craven) puts her on the team.

I know that “mean “ (a) = low in quality or grade; inferior but on the second hand there is also a radically different meaning as “excellent; skillful”: as in “She plays a mean game of bridge.”

Would you help me to make the proper choice?

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

[Barb_D]

Hi Vil,
Do you think that you can figure it out based on context? Who is more likely to be put on a sports team: someone with low quality skills, or someone who does something very well?

If that doesn't answer your question, in American English, anytime you say he/she has a mean something, or makes a mean something, it's high praise.

I make a mean meatloaf, by the way.

[vil]

Hi Barb_D,

Thank you for your logical/rhetorical explanation.

Referring to your mastery to prepare delicious meatloaf would you be kind enough to tell us what kind of meatloaf is your preference. There are different kinds of meatloaf namely beef, turkey, lamb or pork meatloaf?

Regards,

V.

[Barb_D]

We'll get the "not related to grammar" red flag if we continue, but ground beef. Come on over!