"He's gone for good." One might regret that he's gone, so how is it that using this expression forces allusion to goodness? Is there a fundamental meaning common to all differing uses of "good"? Or do we have here a collection of homonyms, each with its own, distinct word history?
Also, "He's gone for good and all." All of what?
Don
for good
The free dictionary gives this short list of "good" idioms:
skinem:
was your teacher discussing minced oaths?
as good as
Practically; nearly: as good as new.
but good
Informal Used as an intensive: The pipe started to leak but good.
for good
Permanently; forever: I'm moving to Europe for good.
good and
Informal Very; thoroughly: I'll do it when I'm good and ready.
no good Informal
1. Worthless.
2. Futile; useless: It's no good arguing with them.
to the good
1. For the best; advantageous.
2. In an advantageous financial position: ended up to the good.
skinem:
was your teacher discussing minced oaths?
Very cool list Gail. Two of the minced oaths are in cockney rhyme(Cheese & Rice, and Gor blimey).
"Time is nature's way of keeping everything from happening all at once. Lately it hasn't been working."
Anonymous
Anonymous
As to the origins of the 'oaths' it really only means what the speaker's knowledge of it means. If I say shoot, maybe I only mean shoot.skinem:
was your teacher discussing minced oaths?
mark [boogers!]-[rats!]-[or bother] Bailey
Today is the first day of the rest of your life, Make the most of it...
kb
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- Great Grand Panjandrum
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Nice link, Gail. But Beast with two backs?
Forsooth, methinks the language of the Bard of Avon deserveth more study by this Philistine! Strewth!
Forsooth, methinks the language of the Bard of Avon deserveth more study by this Philistine! Strewth!
Regards//Larry
"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."
-- Attributed to Richard Henry Lee
"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."
-- Attributed to Richard Henry Lee
Well obviously they never heard of the Kama Sutra.
That's just not Kosher!"In the vigour of his age he married Gargamelle, daughter to the King of the Parpaillons, a jolly pug, and well-mouthed wench. These two did oftentimes do the two-backed beast together, joyfully rubbing and frotting their bacon 'gainst one another."
"Time is nature's way of keeping everything from happening all at once. Lately it hasn't been working."
Anonymous
Anonymous
Nice list! I sure don't remember any term like minced oaths, but have heard plenty of euphamisms! I could probably add a few...skinem:
was your teacher discussing minced oaths?
Don't care for minched oaths, but do like minced oats!
I added a thread link to your term there, Perry. This is a vocabulary site, after all.Well obviously they never heard of the Kama Sutra.
That's just not Kosher!"In the vigour of his age he married Gargamelle, daughter to the King of the Parpaillons, a jolly pug, and well-mouthed wench. These two did oftentimes do the two-backed beast together, joyfully rubbing and frotting their bacon 'gainst one another."
I grew up buffered by oaths, both minced and whole; took me quite awhile to try one for myself, though. Lightening did not smite me and I now have a few seemingly ineradicable ones held in reserve for certain drivers sucking down Starbucks and yapping on cell phones whilst driving their Urban Assault Vehicles oblivious to lane markers and the first three laws of physics...*takes a deep breath*
While I agree with Sunny that gratuitous swearing is unattractive, I have to conceal snorts of derision at those who bust out with phrases such as "dad burn it!" in the pious belief that they are Not Using Bad Words.
-gailr
who alternates between blimey! and Sacré bleu when feeling continental...
did that make you buffed then?
buffered by oaths...
lol...held in reserve for certain drivers sucking down Starbucks and yapping on cell phones whilst driving their Urban Assault Vehicles oblivious to lane markers and the first three laws of physics...*takes a deep breath* [/size]
What if they are just feeling colorful as you feel continental?I have to conceal snorts of derision at those who bust out with phrases such as "dad burn it!" in the pious belief that they are Not Using Bad Words.
mark snorts? Bailey-gailr
who alternates between blimey! and Sacré bleu when feeling continental...
Today is the first day of the rest of your life, Make the most of it...
kb
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- Lexiterian
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Sometimes, the only expression that seems to be an appropriate response to ridiculous or abnoxious behavior is: "pi$$ off". It may lack something in delicacy of phrase; it may not qualify as a cunning trope; it may even lack a certain wit. But it does the job.
-- PW
-- PW
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention to arrive safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow!!! What a ride!"
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