How do you use the word "clever"?

I have always thought the British use it to mean "intelligent". While I am familiar with that definition, it is not how I use it. To me, a clever person can be physically or mentally quick, but it can also be taken negatively, such as being "cunning" or "cagey."

Then, when I looked "clever" up in dictionary.com, I found that there are also regional meanings. In the south, "clever" can mean "good natured" or "affable", and in old-fashioned New England dialects it can mean "affable, but not smart." Surely I have not heard it used these ways.

quote:

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Originally posted by Kalleh:
How do you use the word "clever"?

I have always thought the British use it to mean "intelligent". While I am familiar with that definition, it is not how I use it. To me, a clever person can be physically or mentally quick, but it can also be taken negatively, such as being "cunning" or "cagey."

Then, when I looked "clever" up in dictionary.com, I found that there are also regional meanings. In the south, "clever" can mean "good natured" or "affable", and in old-fashioned New England dialects it can mean "affable, but not smart." Surely I have not heard it used these ways.

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Where I live there is another regional variation which is only evr used with "not".

In reply to the question

"How are you feeling ?"

you will often hear

"Not too clever."

meaning "a little bit ill".

Glaubt es mir - das Geheimnis, um die größte Fruchtbarkeit und den größten Genuß vom Dasein einzuernten, heisst: gefährlich leben.
- Friedrich Nietzsche

Read all about my travels around the world here.
Read even more of my travel writing and poems on my weblog.

Nobody
Sylvia

Sittin' in a Restaurant She walked by
I seem to recall that certain look in your eye
I asked "who's that? "you said with a smile
"Oh it's Nobody....Nobody."

Well maybe that explains the last two week
You called me up, dead on your feet
Working late again, I ask who with
You say "Nobody.....Oh Nobody."

Well your Nobody called today
She hung up when I asked her name
Well I wonder does she think she's being clever?
(clever.....ooh ooh)
You say Nobody's after you
The fact is what you say is true
But I can love you like Nobody can ......even better

Late last night we went for a ride
You were miles away I asked "who's on your mind?"
You said , "Nobody..Nobody. Why do you ask?"
Oh, Her again I could have told you that.

We went back home got ready for bed
I said to myself I've got one shot left
Your still mine an I won't stand in line
Behind Nobody....Oh Nobody!

Well your Nobody called today
She hung up when I asked her name
Well I wonder does she think she's being clever?
(clever.....ohh ohh)
You say Nobody's after you
The fact is what you say is true
But I can Love you like Nobody can.....even better.

From: "rlwarner@ptd.net"

In the movie, Jurassic Park, the "Great White Hunter" character says, "Oh, clever girl " to the wholebunchateethasauraus hiding in the bushes just before he gets eaten. I think that nicely summarizes Kalleh's definition AND the Brit usage.