Someone described as ‘a cracking lad’ - interpretation ?

[HisMiff]

when we were first dating - DP would ask my college friends in pub what I was like - they’d say “swot” - so that’s my street cred gone out t’window but it’s TRUE ! I WAS! I worked hard from DAY ONE ! 🤣💪

i asked my DP’s schoolfriend what he was like in school and he described him as “a cracking lad”

How would you interpret this?

For context, the school he went to was rough, working class, dismal academic results and lots of violence

But if he described my DP as ‘cracking’ I would interpret that as a decent, upbeat, positive lad who was neither bullied or a bully - and not disrespectful to teachers.

Anyone agree ?

I agree it’s a very vague and generic thing to say about someone. It just means his friend liked him. What does your dp say he was like?

I am from Yorkshire it's a phrase meaning great lad that's it nothing more it just seems that you don't know slang or are to young to have heard this. It's nothing big in fact why even post it . Is it me of lately on here seems yo be very strange questioned being asked.
Swot means like a geek in school liked books etc

Yes why?

I don’t really understand why you need to ask. It’s a common phrase, maybe not used as much nowadays but everyone knows that it’s positive praise.

He says he was well behaved - and I believe him !

msybe if I’d have been at his school he wouldn’t have been so well behaved ! We were both good looking at 14

bike sheds anyone ? 🤣

I want to know why you're asking too. Do you doubt this old friend did like him, or has something your husband told you made you think it's unlikely anyone would've called him a cracking lad?

No - just out of interest really.

I was very unpopular in school - no one would’ve called me cracjking in any shape or form

I would see it as good company for a joke, smoke and general fun, not a snitch. I wouldn’t imply any academic qualities in this description.

Indeed agree with this. A good person to be around. Might let you copy his homework sometimes. But not necessarily a swot. Or well behaved. But more likely well behaved than badly behaved.

Cracking lad - held in high regard.