What do we really mean when we say, "you're one of a kind"?

You’re unique and special… at least to me.

I agree with @Austinlad, albeit from a personal perspective. If you asked each person to write down what makes you special and put it in a fish bowl, imagine how different the answers would be.

Depends on the tone of voice. Could mean what @Austinlad says, or with a slight edge to the voice could be a watered-down version of “piece of work”, which is NOT something you want to be called! ;D

That you’re special, but nobody is that special. When they say you’re “one in a million”, that just means there are like a thousand dudes just like you in China.

It means, Bob is one of a kind! Thank goodness! Now, get me a sandwich!

It’s usually meant as a compliment and means , “you are unique.”

It’s supposed to be a compliment highlighting that you are somehow unique and gifted. I’m laughing here though because I sometimes use this statement when someone is really starting to tick me off. It’s in that repertoire of things you say when you really don’t want to say much at all….like “Isn’t that interesting”....or “Wow, aren’t you special?” I don’t know @bob but if he were suddenly ticking me off I might say something like “You’re one of a kind dude” and then I’d ask, “you know what they call a guy with no arms and no legs floating in a river?”............Bob.

@Joybird Did you hear about that Latino kid who had plastic feet? His name was Roberto. Also, I once beat up some guy because he had no feet. I’m lack-toes intolerant.

Usually a compliment, some people use it sarcastically then it’s not. But then again any compliment can be used sarcastically.

I’ve absolutely no idea what “we” mean. I can tell you want I mean if you want? NO? Well i’m going to go right ahead & say it anyway. I mean, “Darling would you like an early night tonight….nudge nudge wink wink, say no more!”

removed

@BoBo1946 ????

trying to stay out of trouble!

@BoBo1946 Pat on the head, there’s a good boy. Would you like an apple? :¬)

loll…hey, think i will go eat an apple and watch Law and Order!

I can’t answer for anyone else, but when I say it, I mean that something that just happened was special.

“I don’t know anyone else like you.”
[and beneath that]—>
“I don’t know anyone else like you with respect to some trait or behavior or attitude that you have just exhibited.”—>
“You are exceptionally {surprising | expressive | unconventional | weird}.”—>
“I feel a need, urge, desire to acknowledge you in some way, because of something you’ve said or done, but I’m not really sure whether a compliment is appropriate, and indeed I’m not even sure I admire or approve of it/you, but I don’t have the {self-restraint | self-confidence | cool} to let it pass without remark.”

Depending on the circumstances; anything from you are a unique and wonderful individual, I’d like to have your baby and I wish they’d clone you to you’re an asshole – and uniquely so.

Does it mean the same as ‘they broke the mold when they made you’? Usually a bit sarcy, or envious!

^Yes, but one can also add “Thank Heavens.”

Most of the time it’s used as a compliment. I’ve used it myself when referring to a friend or relative that has been especially nice or helpful.

But it can also be used as a “left-handed” compliment or insult and is usually said to a person who is not very bright that has done something stupid or ridiculous without realizing it. So when it’s said to those kinds of people, it is really an insult, without having to actually say that you think the person is an idiot or foolish. Most likely the person, because they are not that bright, will not realize that it’s an insult, and take it as a compliment.

To me, “you’re one of a kind” means that forensics will be able to tell us apart from one another after your next crime spree.

@RealEyesRealizeRealLies – LOL – May I please steal that as a tagline for my email?? That is great! (:D

People have often said that to me and it didn’t always feel like a compliment! So I think it can go either way.

The way I mean it means “you’re retarded”

Steal away @llewis… It’s your crime spree!