Mediocre (2-2) Crossword Clue
Answer: SO SO (4 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Mediocre (2-2)" with 4 letters is "SO SO". So-so means mediocre, indicating something that is average or not particularly good or bad. It is often used to describe something that lacks excellence or stands at a middle level, neither impressive nor disappointing.
Why “So So” Fits
The clue asks for a phrase (2-2) meaning “mediocre.” The answer, SO SO, fits neatly:
- Mediocre: "So so" is a widely-used English phrase describing something that is neither good nor bad—simply average, unremarkable, or passable.
- Context: It embodies the sense of mediocrity, applying to quality, performance, appearance, or experience that fails to impress but isn’t terrible either.
This colloquial, everyday phrase directly captures the essence of "mediocre" as described by the clue.
“So so” is a frequent term in casual speech:
- Origin: The phrase dates back to the 16th century, combining two simple words for emphasis and neutrality.
- Usage: “The meal was so so.” “His review of the movie was just so so.” “She felt so so about her test results.” It’s often spoken with a shrug or tone of indifference.
- Nuance: Unlike synonyms such as “okay” or “fine,” “so so” implies a lack of enthusiasm or real satisfaction.
“So so” naturally bridges the clue’s requirements for expressing mediocrity in conversation or description.
In quick crosswords, clues like “mediocre (2-2)”:
- Target short, familiar phrases that use repetition or symmetry—in English, “so so” is a classic example.
- The format (2-2) guides the solver to phrases over single words, ruling out alternatives like “fair” or “average.”
- When clues reference common evaluations (mediocre, fair, average), look for idiomatic phrases that succinctly convey the sense.
Spotting the repetition in both the phrase and the quality leads efficiently to “so so.”
