👟 Goody-Two-Shoes: Marching with Virtue 🎭
“A self-righteous, smugly virtuous person. The term comes from the title and main character of a nursery tale, The History of Goody Two-Shoes (1765), believed to have been written by Oliver Goldsmith. She owned but a single shoe, and when she was given a pair of shoes she was so delighted that she showed them to everyone, saying, ‘Two shoes.’ Today the term is often shortened to goody-goody, as in ‘She’s a real goody-goody, always playing up to her boss.’”
Related Terms and Similar Expressions
- Goody-Goody - A variant of goody-two-shoes; a person striving to appear virtuous.
- Brown-noser - Someone who is excessively ingratiating.
- Teacher’s Pet - A person who seeks favor with authority by being overly attentive and cooperative.
- Virtue Signaler - Someone who loudly and publicly expresses moral opinions to show how virtuous they are.
Synonyms
- Pollyanna
- Saint
- Prude
- Puritan
Antonyms
- Rebel
- Troublemaker
- Dissenter
- Maverick
Humor-Filled Quotes
- “I don’t trust children. They’re here to replace us.” - Stephen Colbert (Context: A goody-two-shoes child might just push you out of your comfort zone)
- “Goody two shoes types make for the best Nemesis. They’re life’s unintentional sitcom antagonist.” - Anonymous
Proverbs Related to Virtue
- “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
- “Virtue is its own reward.”
- “Good deeds never go unpunished.” - Clare Boothe Luce
Literature, Books, Songs, and Movies
Literature:
- Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger – Holden Caulfield deals with many phony “goody-two-shoes” types.
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – Characters like Atticus Finch showcase the complexity of virtue.
Books:
- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie – For those tired of the goody-two-shoes act, why not learn a subtler approach?
Songs:
- “Straight Edge” by Minor Threat – A punk rock anthem eschewing vices, perfect for goody-two-shoes types.
- “Goodie Two Shoes” by Adam Ant – Directly named for our star expression.
Movies:
- Legally Blonde – Elle initially comes off as a goody-two-shoes but proves she has more depth.
- Mean Girls – Meet some of the most intricate interpretations of goody-two-shoes in teen comedy drama.
Quizzes
🌟 Inspirational Thought: While virtue is precious, let’s remember that humility adds the final polish. As we strive to be our best selves, may we stay grounded, authentic, and kind.
🤓 Narrator Nosybody signing off with a gentle reminder to put heart before halo. Until next time, keep those soles dancing between virtue and veracity!
