I think youre talking about this thread: https://steemit.com/steem/@cryptogee/introducing-steem-the-first-anarchy-mined-coin (very first reply)
What ned was saying is that all the steem that exists right now was actually mined (instead of being pre-allocated, or premined like ripple was). Cryptogee had inaccurately refered to steem being premined, and ned was correcting that mistake.
here puts it in context@smooth's reply
Technically speaking a pre-mine is when coins are allocated prior to mining.
Steem had no coins allocated in such a manner.
Yes, that is exactly what I remember seeing. Thanks for pointing out the clarifications.