English, baby!

Goody Two-Shoes

Date: Jan 28 2004

Quote

1. Quote - Listen to the quote and guess what the slang means.

“It’s not that I’m Mr. Goody Two-Shoes now, but I’ve got my priorities in order. I experienced everything and got out of it. It’s important that I got out of it, because otherwise I wouldn’t be here now. I’m still having a party. I’m still having fun, if you know what I mean. I just have it in check now.”
- Kid Rock, musician, talking about being a responsible person.

Definition

1. Definition - Study the definition.

person who does everything right, person who never breaks any rules, person who is uncommonly good, rigorously virtuous and honest person
also:
person who is annoying and/or irritating because s/he follows every rule; person who thinks s/he is superior because s/he is so virtuous

2. Use - Learn how the slang is used.

“Goody Two-Shoes” is an interesting expression, because it can be used in two different ways – and the difference between those two ways is very subtle. For example, you could use “Goody Two-Shoes” to describe a person who is enjoyable to be around because s/he is so honest and respectful. However, you could also use “Good Two-Shoes” to describe a person who really annoys you, because s/he refuses to break even the least important rule.

Examples

1. Examples - Hear some example sentences.

””Stephanie is the sweetest girl. She’s a perfect Goody Two-Shoes and she would never hurt a fly. She’s so caring and wondeful. I’m glad I have her as a friend.”“

””I think Jared is a Goody Two-Shoes, but not in a bad way. He’s just a really honest person. He can’t help but tell the truth at all times.”“

””My brother is such an irritating little Goody Two-Shoes. He always tells my mom whenever I do anything wrong. Yesterday he told her that I broke her lamp. She wouldn’t have even noticed because I glued it back together. What a little punk.”“

””There is this kid in my class who is a total Goody Two-Shoes and everyone hates him. He always thinks he knows everything and he says he’s going to tell the teacher if anyone does anything wrong.”“

Winners

1. Winners - See who guessed the slang definition correctly.

Goody Two-Shoes means a self-righteous, smugly virtuous person
by sandira (Kathmandu, Nepal)
It comes from the title of a rather twee and moralistic nursery tale called The History of Goody Two-Shoes, which is thought to have been written by Oliver Goldsmith, and which was published in 1765 by John Newbery, one of the earliest London publishers of children’s stories. Goody owned only one shoe. When she was given a pair of them, she was so pleased that she showed them to everybody, saying “Two shoes.” The phrase now refers to a self-righteous, smugly virtuous person.
by Ammar (Giza, Egypt)
a perfect person,and do everything right
by cherry (Chongqing, China)
A persom who never makes mistakes ar things without thinking of the consequences, a good guy who will never break the rules.
by paola (Pasto, Colombia)
a good or virtuous person
by mahsa (Mesa, U.S.A)
I think it means “Mr. Perfect”, “The guy who is considered Mr. Right by his mother, his former elementary / high school”. It’s the one who they think is the Mr. Doing Right”.
by Marco (São Paulo, Brazil)
someone who is also a different person… in front of a person he is one thing and with the other person is other…
by Patti (São Paulo, Brazil)