My question involves a group text conversation between friends whom are all native english speakers.
Friend A began the conversation with a photograph of himself dressed up for a night on the town, asking the group whether or not his outfit would attract the opposite sex.
Friend B responded by saying that he did not approve of his jacket and Friend C quickly agreed saying "he had already talked to him about wearing that jacket.."
Friend D defended Friend A by telling him that she really liked the jacket at which point Friend C responded with the one word "exactly". What was meant by this one word response in this circumstance?
It seemed to cause a mixture of laughter and offense but I do not understand the underlying meaning of this word.
Best Answer
The answer Joe Dark gives in his comment beneath your question accurately explains the situation.
Friends B and C disapprove of Friend A's fashion decision, and I would be willing to bet that Friend C's critical comments included not only the quoted phrase about having "already talked to [Friend A] about wearing that jacket" but also some generalized comment to the effect that no one with any fashion sense would approve of Friend A's choice.
When Friend D then chimes in to support Friend A's choice of a jacket, Friend C's rejoinder "exactly" reiterates the claim that no one with any fashion sense would approve of it, but this time the claim carries with it the obvious implication that Friend D has just demonstrated that she has no fashion sense either. Laughter and offense taking then ensue.