I have heard multiple times that one says something and end it with "wouldn't be a shabby".
Can you explain what does this exactly mean? Is it common and OK to use this in daily conversations?(U.S.A)
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1At least in my region of the USA I've never heard that. Or I might just be too old. Or too young. – Tofystedeth Mar 18 '16 at 21:18
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4I've never heard it anywhere in the US. Can you find an example? Is it possible the person is saying "wouldn't be too shabby"? For example, someone might say, "Living in the Bahamas? That wouldn't be too shabby!" Used that way, it's a kind of understatement that actually means "That would be a good thing." – stangdon Mar 18 '16 at 21:22
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Yes, "wouldn't be shabby" or wouldn't be too shabby" to indicate something desirable. – MaxW Mar 18 '16 at 23:39
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That wouldn't be shabby
That wouldn't be too shabby
meaning "it would not be too bad", or "it could be worse" (it could be shabby).
That's not too shabby. ( that's not bad at all )
Shabby means something is in poor condition, usually through wear and tear.
There is specific fashion called shabby chic where decorations are not new and pristine, but rather worn or distressed and possibly with a patina. Older looking house furnishings would also be part of the look (there is a shop in SoHo, NYC called Shabby Chic). In some of its forms it could be considered to be the look of old money.
It should not be confused with Xabi (pronounced "shabby") which is a Spanish male name as in Xabi Alonso, the Bayern Munich centre midfielder.
