goody two shoes

noun

, (sometimes initial capital letters)

, plural goody two shoes.

1. a goody-goody.

Word History and Origins

Origin of goody two shoes¹

After the title character of The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes (1765), a nursery tale perhaps written by Oliver Goldsmith

Idioms and Phrases

A prudish, self-righteous individual, a goody-goody. For example, Phyllis was a real goody two-shoes, tattling on her friends to the teacher . This expression alludes to the main character of a nursery tale, The History of Goody Two-Shoes (1765), who was so pleased when receiving a second shoe that she kept saying “Two shoes.” The goody in the story is short for goodwife but means “goody-goody” in the idiom.

Example Sentences

The singer, who turns 70 next month, found fame in the 1980s with his band Adam And The Ants, enjoying a string of Top 10 hits including the number ones Stand and Deliver, Prince Charming and Goody Two Shoes.

From BBC

Caught in the middle, Ms. Feinstein — derided by her male political rivals as “Goody Two Shoes” — ran twice for mayor and lost.

From New York Times

She was annoyed, she said, by youth books that were “goody two shoes sagas” or that blamed parents for everything.

From New York Times

“He would call me Mr. Goody Two Shoes,” Pauken testified.

From Washington Post

“Or he would say to another executive or friend or somebody that I don’t like girls. I’m Mr. Goody Two Shoes. … That was just part of what it was like being in an abusive relationship.”

From Washington Post