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As good as gold.

  • 21-05-2005 7:32pm
    #1
    smileygal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 365 ✭✭


    Does anyone know the background to the phrase : 'As good as gold?'
    i.e. what has gold got to do with good behaviour?


    Is it linked to the notion of golden children resembling golden-haired angels, hence the good behaviour connection?


Comments

  • #2
    Sangre
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,187 ✭✭✭✭Sangre


    Ehh...their behavious is as good as gold, that is, gold as a substance is very, very valuable (i.e. good).

    Duh..?


  • #3
    Eoin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,263 ✭✭✭✭Eoin


    I think the expression originally relates to currency. People would leave their gold with the local goldsmith and get a note in return which could be exchanged back for the gold. The notes were later used as currency - and were "as good as gold".

    Not too sure how it fits into the whole behaviour thing though.


  • #4
    Youki-Hi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4 ✭Youki-Hi


    Actually, it's to do with the dowry. If a little girl was well behaved, had a good education etc then the parents would have to pay a higher dowry than the parents of misbehaving girls. Hense the phrase came about.


  • #5
    smileygal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 365 ✭✭smileygal


    Excellent - that makes sense, as the dowry was so important back then.


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