http://www.englishforums.com/English/GeneralEnglishVocabularyIdiom-Questions/Forum29.htmHelp with defining words and idioms, and new words and idioms that you've learntenXMOD (Build: 3614.32638)http://www.englishforums.com/English/ForGood/dlbzx/post.htm#305035Sat, 24 Jan 2009 01:19:08 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:305035Hly20040http://www.englishforums.com/English/ForGood/dlbzx/post.htm#305035http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments29-305035.xmlThanks, Mister Micawberhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/ForGood/dlbzx/post.htm#305026Tue, 24 Mar 2009 01:19:08 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:305026Mister Micawber1http://www.englishforums.com/English/ForGood/dlbzx/post.htm#305026http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments29-305026.xmlThe origin seems to be lost in the sands of time-- at least I cannot find an explanation in my bookcase or online; the idiom goes back to the 16th century: OED Definition: "As a valid conclusion; hence, as a final act, finally." Quotations include these: : 15.. (Parl. Byrdes) Than desyred all the Byrdes great and smal to mewe the hauke for good and all . : 1687 (Congreve) Ay, you may take him for good-and-all if you will. : 1711 (Swift) 4 July, This day I left Chelsea for good, (that's a genteel phrase). : 1850 (J. H. Newman) Throw off, for good and all, the illusions of your intellect. : 1882 (W. E. Forster) This morning we released Parnell--not for good, but on parole.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ForGood/dlbzx/post.htmTue, 24 Mar 2009 01:19:08 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:304994Hly20042http://www.englishforums.com/English/ForGood/dlbzx/post.htmhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/comments29-304994.xmlHi, everyone: Could you tell me the origin of the phrase "for good (and all/always)"? I have some difficulty understanding "good", and "for good" as "forever" Best wishes