“Quirky” girls — what does it mean to you?

Can someone please elaborate what being “quirky” but “I mean it as a compliment”, means?

Recently started talking to someone new

And he dropped the line: “You’re quirky and I think it suits you 😂😂”

And I responded with: “That’s coded, “you’re weird, but I mean it as a compliment” 💀😂😂”

His reply was: “I definitely do mean it as a compliment.”

I feel like he’s trying to back pedal because I found the feedback off-putting, and he’s picking up that vibe from me — and that I can’t tell if he likes me or not, or if I’m merely just entertaining

I’ve always associated being “quirky” with something inherently negative and unattractive