subs. (printers’).—An abbreviation of ‘Good Night!’
Adj. (colloquial).—Responsible; solvent; principally now with ‘for’; e.g., He is GOOD for any amount. Also, expert.
1598. SHAKESPEARE, Merchant of Venice, i. 3. Antonio is a GOOD man: my meaning in saying that he is a GOOD man, is to have you understand me that he is sufficient.
1824. REYNOLDS, (‘Peter Corcoran’), The Fancy, p. 91. GOOD with both hands and only ten stone four!
GOOD GOODS, in pl., subs. phr. (sporting).—Something worth trying for; a success. In the superlative, ‘best’ GOODS.
1886. The Sporting Times, 17 July, 1/4.
| He was a nice young man for a small tea party, | |
| And rather GOOD GOODS at a Sunday-school treat. |
1892. MILLIKEN, ’Arry Ballads, p. 39. There’s Warner in ‘Drink’; now, that’s business, GOOD GOODS and no error.
BIT (or PIECE) OF GOODS, subs. phr. (common).—A woman. For synonyms, see PETTICOAT.
GOOD OLD … adj. phr. (popular).—A familiar address, derisive or affectionate according to circumstances. See quots.
1891. Pall Mall Gazette, 16 Sept., p. 6, c. 1. It was Mephisto’s greeting to Mary Anne—in Marguerite’s garden—‘GOOD OLD MARY ANNE!’!!! Ibid. The famous medico craned his neck out of the window, and, sniffing in the smoke, cried, GOOD OLD LONDON. This is a true story. Ibid., 17 Sept. Mr. Chirgwin … rouses mirth by … exclaiming GOOD OLD SPOT! as he discloses the large white ace of diamonds painted ever his right optic.
1892. CHEVALIER, ‘The Little Nipper.’
| ’E calls ’is mother ‘Sally,’ | |
| And ’is father ‘GOOD OLD pally,’ | |
| And ’e only stands about so ’igh, that’s all! |
TO FEEL GOOD, verb. phr. (American).—To be jolly; comfortable; ‘in form’; to be on perfect terms with oneself.
1887. PROCTOR [in Knowledge, 1 Dec., p. 29]. A friend of mine tells me a proposition was once invitingly made to him which, to say the least, involved no virtuous self-abnegation, and he was urged to accept it by the plea that it would make him FEEL GOOD.
1888. Texas Siftings, 15 Sept. The saloons are going Saturday afternoon, and the men FEEL pretty GOOD before they come abroad.
TO BE IN ONE’S GOOD BOOKS, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To be in favour; in good opinion. Conversely, TO BE IN ONE’S BAD BOOKS = to be in disfavour. See BOOK.
GOOD AT IT (or AT THE GAME), adj. phr. (venery).—An expert bedfellow, male or female.
TO HAVE A GOOD SWIM.—See SWIM.
FOR GOOD (or FOR GOOD AND ALL), adv. phr. (colloquial).—Completely; entirely; finally.
1673. WYCHERLEY, The Gentleman Dancing-Master, ii., in wks. (1713), 276. If I went, I would go FOR GOOD AND ALL.
1693. CONGREVE, The Old Batchelor, Act i., Sc. 3. Sharp. Faith, e’en give her over FOR GOOD AND ALL: you can have no hopes of getting her for a Mistress.
1875. OUIDA, Signa, vol. II., ch. v., p. 66. So the child went up to the hills with Bruno, and stayed there FOR GOOD AND ALL.
GOOD AS WHEAT.—See WHEAT.
GOOD AS EVER PISSED, phr. (venery).—A qualification of extreme excellence.
1719. D’URFEY, Wit and Mirth; or Pills to Purge Melancholy, ii., 260. And she is AS GOOD for the game AS E’ER PISSED.
GOOD AS A PLAY.—See PLAY.
GOOD AS GOLD, adv. phr. (colloquial).—Very good; usually of children.
AS GOOD AS THEY MAKE ’EM.—See MAKE ’EM.
GOOD-BYE, JOHN! phr. (American).—It’s no go; all’s U.P.
GOOD CESS, subs. phr. (Irish).—Good luck. (Probably an abbreviation of ‘success.’) BAD CESS = the reverse.
1845. BUCKSTONE, The Green Bushes, i., 1. All. Bravo, Paddy! GOOD CESS to ye, Paddy! hurrah!
