This latter one is instructive, as it contrasts Bill Murray with Mickey Rourke, who the author refers to as a douchebag.
And, perhaps this is as good a way as any to understand the usage of "mensch": consider it the antonym to douchebag.
You know how there are some people that make you almost instinctively say to yourself, "Man, he's a real douche!"? On the flip side, there are people of whom you'll say "What a mensch!"
As much as I am surprised to say it, the Wikipedia article is actually pretty good.
Here's an example from real life, of someone calling Roger Federer a mensch: http://www.sporttaco.com/rec.sport.tennis/Federer_still_one_...
Here's a reference to Tom Valenti as a mensch: http://www.seriouseats.com/2008/09/tom-valenti-is-a-mensch-s...
And here's one about Bill Murray: http://www.esquire.com/features/ESQ1204-DEC_MURRAY_rev_
This latter one is instructive, as it contrasts Bill Murray with Mickey Rourke, who the author refers to as a douchebag.
And, perhaps this is as good a way as any to understand the usage of "mensch": consider it the antonym to douchebag.
You know how there are some people that make you almost instinctively say to yourself, "Man, he's a real douche!"? On the flip side, there are people of whom you'll say "What a mensch!"
Does that help?
EDIT: fixed language