Why is someone who never breaks rules and is no fun called "a goody two-shoes?" Does anyone know the meaning behind this expression?
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34th st.
ANSWERS: 1
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From my copy of "The Book of Knowledge Encyclopedia," dated 1909: A courtesy title to married women back in the 1600's was "Goody," as in "Goody Smythe." Goody Two-shoes was a sickeningly sweet, virtuous little girl who was set up as an Example of what all little children should aspire to. She was the heroine of a story,"The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes," by an anonymous author, published in the 1760's. The story was in my Encyclopedia, along with that of Swar, the Cave-Boy. Here's a link to the original text: http://www.archive.org/stream/goodytwoshoes00newyiala If you Google the title, you can buy a new edition of it, for who knows what!
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