Mint?

[whirlpolf]

This may sound stupid to you, but please, can somebody explain "MINT" to me? I am not a native english speaker, still I managed to somehow guess that "mint condition" (on ebay et al) means something like "flawless, almost like new", but why MINT? It could be "cinnamon", "lemongrass" or "parsley", couldn't it? Why is it a herb?

Sorry for asking this strange question.

 

[sudsmaster]

Mint, minty, etc.

I think it comes from coin collecting. When a coin is in excellent condition, it is as if it just came from the mint - no scratches, fingerprints, etc. (The mint is the thing that presses coin blanks into coins, it's also used to refer to the building that houses the presses etc.).

So a washer in mint condition would probably be just as it left the factory - preferably still in the box. Of course, English and Americans being as vague as we are, we also use the term to refer to used things that have almost no signs of wear and tear. For this, "minty" gives a better idea of the approximate condition.

I hope this helps.

 

[brettsomers]

yes, something in mint condition is perfect. same as like new condition.

many ebay sellers, however, are obviously a little hazy on what "mint" means.

take for example this vacuum. it has the wrong hose and the wiring has been altered. the word "mint" in the title is the only mint thing about it.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[lederstiefel1]

Hallo Whirlpolf

Schau mal hier rein! Das Lexicon ist Gold werth!

The Mint = Die Münze (im Sinne von Münzanstalt, nicht im Sinne von Geldstück!)
"Mint condition" bedeutet demnach soviel wie "wie frisch geprägt" oder "fabrikneu" oder "wie geleckt" oder "top in Ordnung" oder "ladenneu".

Natürlich heißt "the mint" auch die Minze (Kraut)!

Gruß aus Leverkusen!
Ralf

mint - LEO: Übersetzung im Englisch ⇔ Deutsch Wörterbuch

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dict.leo.org

 

[vivalalavatrice]

MINT...

IT = Nuovo di zecca!

 

[whirlcool]

I just love it when a seller states the item is "mint, EXCEPT for...." Here's an example. "This television is mint, except for the big dent in the side from where my husband dropped it down the stairs" Or, "this mixer is in mint shape except all the printing on the machine has worn off"

In English the word "mint" can mean:

Exactly as it left the factory, in absolute brand new condition.
A herb that is fragrant and cooling to the taste.
A place where money is manufactured by the government.

 

[toggleswitch]

Just remember this handy-dandy phrase:

"It's mint (treasure) because it was mine." Helps explain a great deal of emotions tied in to objects.

If you think it's bad with CONTENTS of households, the house itself REALLY gets a whammo.

 

[petek]

When I was a kid we went on a tour of the government mint way back in the early 60's. I think it was there that they had a display of a million dollars (in dollar bills) all wrapped and stacked so you could get an idea of what a million dollars looked like. Course that was when a million dollars really bought you a lot LOL

 

[whirlpolf]

Thank you!

Thanks all, never expected such a vast range of replies

Now that makes sense, mint (Münze). It might even explain why in the village I grew up, you could hear things like: "hm, so that car is really ok?" - "yep, bite on it!" (meaning: it sure is! -> like biting a genuine coin)

I love these language things
Joe