Gone For Good

I wonder when the phrase “gone for good” began to mean “gone for forever.” Thus making “for good” mean “forever” as opposed to “for the better.”

Language is funny, with all its turns of phrases, and possible confusions. And yet words have immense power.

Lies can cause generational strife. Empowering words can cause constant, if not instant, renewal. With this power shouldn’t we tame our tongue? Simplify our speech? If we did, we’d be more conscious of making the words we say speak be for good and for ever.