NOT SO DUSTY, adv. phr. (common).—A term of approval; ‘not so bad’; ‘so-so.’
1854. F. E. SMEDLEY, Harry Coverdale’s Courtship, ch. xlii. ‘Why is the fact of the contents of a backgammon-board having been thrown out of the window like Milton’s ‘chef d’œuvre’? Do you give it up? ‘Because it’s a pair o’dice lost. NONE SO DUSTY that—eh? for a commoner like me?’
1884. HAWLEY SMART, From Post to Finish, p. 28. ‘Well, my dear,’ said Butters in the most patronising way, ‘I know I’m NOT SO DUSTY, and if it wasn’t for my disgusting weight I’d pretty soon let ’em see at Newmarket what I can do.’
