[Vocabulary] 'Fairly smooth' has a disapproving connotation?

[jiaruchan]

Today's overall situation is fairly smooth.

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Does the use of 'fairly smooth' express kind of disapproval? Thank you.

 

[emsr2d2]

Today's overall situation is fairly smooth.

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Does the use of 'fairly smooth' express kind of disapproval? Thank you.

No, I don't think it suggests disapproval or negativity but it's not exactly full of praise either! I would say it's simply pretty average.

I'm not sure I've heard of a situation being described as smooth, but if the context made sense then I suppose it can be.

 

[jiaruchan]

No, I don't think it suggests disapproval or negativity but it's not exactly full of praise either! I would say it's simply pretty average.

I'm not sure I've heard of a situation being described as smooth, but if the context made sense then I suppose it can be.

How about 'so-so'? Is it on the same level as 'fairly good'?

Thank you.

 

[bds51]

Hello Jiaruchan,
I agree with emsr2ds that the connotation is not necessarily negative or critical because the adjective 'smooth' is not normally negative. However, if you use negative adjectives like rough, bumpy, fat, dirty, stinking, greedy etc. and combine them with fairly then you have examples of saying sth negative in a diplomatically positive way.

 

[Tdol]

It sounds positive to me- not very positive, but an acceptable state under the circumstances, whatever they are.