For good

[fredpuli47]

Why do we say " for good" to mean "permanently". We often mean the opposite of "good" in any other sense e.g : " My friend has gone for good" .tells the hearer that we regret the passing,. not that we are pleased about it. or see "good" in it

[dundurn]

I've always assumed it was a contracted version of "gone for good or ill" i.e. whether the passing was a good or a bad thing the fact was that it definitely was gone.

[Quizmonster]

It originated in the 1500s as 'for good and all' rather than good and ill. Thereafter, it was even sometimes hyphenated as 'good-and-all'. I suppose the use of two words was seen as a means of emphasising the utter finality of whatever was being spoken of. Rather in the manner of rhyming slang, the key word then disappeared!

[fredpuli47]

Interesting. Londoners still say "good 'n' all" to mean 'absolutely' or 'once and for all': "That's 'im seen to, good 'n' all!"