"Class act" Topic

reading the comments on here re Taylor Swift and Beyonce, a few of you have referred to them as a 'class act'.

In Oz, its a derogatory term meaning totally the opposite. Its used as an insult.

Across the Tasman, I believe it can be used in both ways, with or without the irony, though 'a real class act' would usually be derogatory.

Mr Pumblechook had this discussion, he thought "class act' was a good thing, but like you said a "real class act is derogatory. I've never heard it used in the first way though

Australians are sparing in their praise, but have a very good line in insults.

Definitely a positive in writing, and usually when spoken, although it can be made into a derogatory remark if delivered with the right inflection. (But pretty much anything can be with a little practice – "you really are a wonderful human being" can be pretty damning if you get the tone right….)

Same here in the USA, so you must know the context of the backstory, and the people they are talking about, e.g.

this week, Serena and Kanye proved to be "class acts" should be taken as the aforementioned OZ reference of the opposite meaning;

Beyonce actually proved to be a real class act, by letting the upstaged singer who was interrupted by Kanye, finish her speech during her award recognition, which was very thoughtful.

It's one of those phrases, at the least the way I use it, that can have diametrically opposite meanings.
Spoken without irony, Beyonce was a class act.
Heavily sarcastic, Kanye was a class act.

Context is everything.

"You're amazing", same thing….

Oh, and "(ah,) bless your heart", lately used hereabouts. :)….

Reversing the meanings of words is part of the "living" language.

Odour
Smell
Aroma
Fragrance
Scent

All can imply unpleasent smell with the right tone and context.
Outside of food, aroma seems to be always negative nowadays.