In my Fat Tony days what was *not* mentioned about someone was the principal designator. The expression “he’s a nice guy” or “vehhhhhry, vehry nice guy” meant “he’s an idiot (but nice)”; “he’s an idiot” meant “he’s an idiot (but not nice)”. As to “He is arrogant”, it meant that “he is smart” *and* the speaker is envious; “he’s a smart guy” meant “he’s smart but the speaker is not envious”.

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