Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines "mint" as unused.

Quite often someone will describe their bow as "mint", then go on to say that the bow is used and has handling marks or maybe a professionally filled hole, slight yellowing of the finish or some other blemish.

Anyone else notice this?

There are very few truly "mint" bows around and for someone to use "mint" as loosely as some do is misrepresenting their item for sale.

Yea i have bought some older bear bows that were just like you described. That being  said i also have some that look like they were never shot.

Bill, a good friend once told me, 'if someone tells you it's mint, tell them not to take it out of the wrapper'.
Shick

I think used car salesmen ruined that word for the rest of us.I prefer the term slightly used.But you will always find that every word to describe something someone else owns to be different from what you define it as.Thank god for pictures wouldn't buy anything with out detailed pictures especially with the amount of money you guys spend on bows.Maybe the Mod's have to start a terminology list for reference on the classifieds.(just kidden Mod's you have enough to do already)

I couldn't agree more. Mint is as it came from the bowyer, unshot or even unstrung. "Excellent" or "near new" would better describe what some are calling mint. If it has holes filled or otherwise it is far from any of the above terms.

  A recent experience has taught me to scrutinize bows very carefully. I sold a bow to a fellow T-gang member and he spotted a significant flaw that I had completely missed.  I promptly refunded his money and had the bow sent to the party I acquired it from.  He had not seen the flaw either and was as surprised as I was.  Apparently the flaw had been neatly hidden under the wrap and rest.

I have bought and sold alot of bows. There are some bows that are "used" that I would consider "mint". They look like they just came from the bowyer new. "Excellent" or "New Condition" would apply more than "mint".  Photos sure help when you are buying a bow, but they do not show everything. Someone might describe the bow as "new condition" and it might only be "average" to "above average" to me because I am very particular.

Terms are useless without photos of the bow, and most folks throw those words around without thinking anyway.  You get good photos and you don't need to rely on a term.

"diet-mint" or "mint-lite"

non-typical (Altoid)  

Ahh the english language, dont you just love it.

The meaning of a wood can change just by the wink of an eye.  

And you are talking about folks who don't know the difference in, to---two---too; or advise and advice, or how to use capital letters, punctuation marks, et al.   Are you surprised about the misuse of the term "mint?"

Kinda' like something, on the bid site, described as having "light patina".

I prefer the term "near mint".  That tells me it looks mint but has actually been used.  Probably carefully.  About like fishone described

Thanks for the input. Shick, that is a great one!  I'm not surprised by the misuse of the word, been seeing it for years but generally I think most folks give accurate descriptions of bows.

Don't hack on the spelling.Remember no kid left behind...LOL

I just sold a bow as mint.  I bought it new and I fired maybe 50-100 arrows through it during 2 range session and decided I didn't really like it.  It was w/o a mark on it.

I subsequently wrapped back in its case and listed it for sale at half price.

It sold immediately, the buyer was pleased and what he saved from the price of a new bow from the same manufacturer was a mint.

So, I guess it can have more than one meaning.

And there's those ads with "Minty" in them.  

George, you are right on as always!