these dolphins can kick butt

[flowersophy]

Hi,

Does "these dolphins can kick butt" in the following sentence mean "these dolphins can be very nice"?

You think the mild friendly dolphin these dolphins can kick butt that's why they've survived for so long.

Thanks very much!

 

[grassy]

I think it means that they are not always nice.

 

[Barque]

No, Flowersophy. It means they are tough and can take care of themselves. They are not always as mild as they look.

 

[Andygc]

Please could you provide a link to the source and check that your transcription is accurate? At the moment your sentence does not make sense. You might also like to look at the threads linked by searching for kick butt.

 

[flowersophy]

It's from a documentary Wyland's Art Studio.

 

[Cagey]

I agree with Andygc. There is an error somewhere. My guess is that one error is here:

You wouldn't think the mild friendly dolphin -- these dolphins -- can kick butt that's why they've survived for so long.

"These dolphins" is out of place too, but this might be remedied by punctuation.

 

[RM1(SS)]

I read it as You think [about] "the mild, friendly dolphin." These dolphins can kick butt. That's why they've survived for so long.

 

[Cagey]

Yes, that is better. It requires less change.