word-meaning
I watched TV and a man said “Just great!” when his car stopped running and wasn’t working.
I thought the word “great” must be positive thing, but it seemed it was negative thing in this case.
So could you explain me what “Just great!” mean?
Thank you!
OED 1 gives this definition:
6. A smartly-liveried boy acting as groom or footman; formerly often provided with standing-room on a small platform behind the carriage, and a strap to hold on by; less strictly, an outdoor boy-servant. slang. obsolescent.
The citations given here suggest that the term became current about 1817. OED offers no speculation about why the term was adopted. My guess is that it reflects the very colorful liveries which were popular in the 19th century. Livery is the formal uniform which wealthy people used to require their servants to wear. Livery was always markedly different from ordinary dress—you don't want your servants to be mistaken for your peers! As a form of 'conspicuous consumption' it was usually patterned on the formal dress of an earlier period and executed in bright, eye-catching colors, which contrasted particularly in the 19th century with the sober colors preferred by gentlemen. Here is an example of the livery worn by Queen Victoria's coachmen; note the powerful stripe effect:
@Stephie notes a source which reports that “The tiger wore an orange and black striped waistcoat which is what gave them their ‘title’.” It may very well be that the first footboy to be called a tiger wore such a waistcoat, and even that such a waistcoat was at some point the 'default' dress for footboys, just as green-and-black stripes were common for table-servants in the early 20th century. But I have been unable to find a contemporary illustration. It should also be noted that the ancient practice was that liveries were executed in colors specific to the family, so it cannot have been a universal practice.
Left is the past participle of leave. If you break a leg and it doesn't heal properly, this can leave you with [result in] a limp. Similarly, your neuritis has left you with [resulted in] a reduced field of vision.
Best Answer
Agree with Adam. This is certainly spoken in a sarcastic manner. Now, back to the OP's concern.
There is no specific meaning for 'Just great!' other than you are describing something that has surprised you. Now it depends which context or scene you are talking in.
All in all, just great may indicate something more in the same context. Now this more could be good, bad, frustrating, entertaining, delighting or whatever!