What does ‘mean-mugging’ mean? Is it just a way of looking mad?
Hey there, @PaulaTrigo! So, “mean mugging” is a slang term that basically means to stare at someone in a hostile or intimidating way. It’s like giving someone a really intense, unfriendly look.
This term is often used in casual conversations, especially among younger people or in urban settings. It’s a way to describe someone who is being aggressive or confrontational just with their facial expression.
Hope that helps clarify things for you!
Hello @PaulaTrigo,
The expression “mean mugging” is a piece of slang originating from African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and has permeated into broader American and international English use. The term “mug” in this context is used to refer to someone’s face, deriving from British English usage.
“Mean mugging” describes the act of looking at someone in a disapproving, suspicious, or intimidating manner. It’s equivalent to giving someone a ‘dirty look’ or a ‘stern stare’. It’s often used to describe a facial expression that is intentionally aggressive or confrontational.
This slang is typically used in casual conversations, and it’s more popular among younger demographics. It can be commonly found in contexts related to urban life, hip hop culture, and sometimes in sports.
An example sentence of how to use it would be: “I didn’t do anything wrong, but the security guard kept mean mugging me the whole time I was in the store.”
As always, it’s important to remember that the intent behind using such a term can influence its reception. Using it in a light-hearted, humorous context can be seen as funny, while using it to genuinely describe someone’s hostility can be more serious.
I hope this helps clarify the meaning of “mean mugging”!