Nova Scotia Bureau of Absurd Nova Scotia

Department of Excessive Modesty Control
For Immediate Release – June 11, 2025

Nova Scotia Bans the Phrase “Not Toooo Baaad” Province Orders Residents to Use the “Some Good” Scale Instead

Halifax, Nova Scotia — The Province of Nova Scotia has officially banned the phrase “Not toooo baaaad” in daily conversation, calling it a “linguistic menace of modesty” that has hollowed out the province’s ability to express joy. The Department of Excessive Modesty Control insists that residents instead embrace the traditional “Some Good” Scale, ranging from “some good” to the more emphatic “right some good.”

“For years, Nova Scotians have shrugged off life’s greatest moments with a lazy ‘not too bad,’” said Dr. Sheila Blunt, Chief Officer of Overstatement Affairs. “We’ve recorded people describing weddings, playoff wins, and even new grandchildren with those three words. If a donair can be ‘right some good,’ then so can a new baby.”

The “Say It Like You Mean It Act” introduces strict guidelines for honest, culturally accurate enthusiasm.

Key Measures

• Banned Words: “Not toooo baaaad” in all its forms, including “not bad,” “could be worse,” and “meh.”
• Mandatory “Some Good” Scale: Residents must grade experiences as “some good” (solid), “right some good” (excellent), or “deadly good” (life-changing).
• Conversation Patrols: Officers will monitor coffee shops, hockey rinks, and boardwalks for illegal understatement.

Prohibited Activities

• Stretching out “too” to cover up lack of interest.
• Responding to “How’s it going?” with a shrug and “not bad.”
• Using “nttb” in text messages.

Enforcement and Consequences

Violators face fines of up to $219—the cost of two lobster dinners and a case of Keith’s. Repeat offenders may be sentenced to the Exclamation Boot Camp, where they’ll practice shouting “right some good!” at ferries until enthusiasm levels improve.

As Minister of Excessive Modesty Control, the Honourable Edith Yell, declared: “If it’s worth mentioning, it’s worth calling ‘right some good.’ Nova Scotians deserve better than half-hearted mumbles.”

Quick Facts

• “Not too bad” is used in 92% of casual greetings recorded in Nova Scotia cafés.
• A Halifax resident once described winning $1.3 million as “not too bad, I guess.”
• “Some Good” is recognized by UNESCO as a cultural treasure of Maritime expression.
• Pilot projects in Cape Breton showed a 74% boost in morale when residents replaced “not too bad” with “right some good.”

For more information on the Say It Like You Mean It Act, visit http://www.novascotia.ca/somegood or call 1-800-SOME-GOOD.

Media Contact

Euphemia “Effie” Loud
Director of Exaggeration Enforcement
Department of Excessive Modesty Control
Province of Nova Scotia
Email: rightsomegood@gov.ns.ca

Media Contact:
Grant Shoutworthy
Director of Enthusiasm Communications
Department of Excessive Modesty Control
Phone: 1-800-SOME-GOOD
Email: enthusiasm@gov.ns.ca