Phrase Origins: For Good Measure

When I hear the phrase "for good measure," I often think of cartoons where a child gets spanked many times, but then one more is given "for good measure." I may have heard it when people throw in an extra treat such as another cookie or candy when some are bought. However, I mostly think of the first part and I am never sure why this extra thing is "for good measure."

Meaning of the Phrase

"For good measure" means extra. Some people say "an additional extra," but that is redundant since something extra is additional.

Phrase Origin

"For good measure" has been around for a long time. The first known time it was in print was around 1384 in John Wyclif's Middle English Translation of the Bible. He wrote, "Thei schulen yyue in to youre bosum a good mesure, and wel fillid, and schakun togidir, and ouerflowynge; for bi the same mesure, bi whiche ye meeten, it schal be metun ayen to you." This was the passage for Luke 6:38, which translates to, "They shall give into your bosom a good measure, and well-filled, and shaken together, and overflowing; for by the same measure, by which ye mete, it shall be meted again to you." The New International Version of the Bible translates this as, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

While the first time the phrase was seen in print was during the 1380s, it is likely that it existed before that time. It is likely that it has been around ever since there have been "purveyors of fyne goodes" which today are "purveyors of fine goods." Anything that was "for good measure" was an ample or extra amount of a material or extra objects that were sold by measure.

By the 1400s, people rarely used the phrase. It was in the 1800s that people again used the phrase "for good measure" the way it had originally been used. However, it also began to be used figuratively, where no actual measure was taking place.

In the May 1850 edition of Littell's Living Age magazine published in America, it said, "'Give him another for good measure' - 'Hit him again' - were the sounds which greeted his ears." This referred to a public flogging that took place in California.

Related Phrases

"In good measure" would seem to mean the same thing as "for good measure," but it does not. Instead, "in good measure" is a restriction and is the phrase that was used in the 1400s. Acting in good measure meant following the rules and restricting oneself to following them. John Wyclif seems to be the person who also put this phrase in writing first. It appears in his collection of sermons from around 1400 known as Controversial Tracks. He wrote, "Ye shulden lyue on ye puple in good mesure as Paul biddin." This translates to, "You be sustained by the people in moderation, as St. Paul bids you."

Baker's Dozen would seem to be the same thing. While it does have extra, "for good measure" is not the same as a Baker's Dozen. A Baker's Dozen was created so the bakers would not be punished. "For good measure" was a gift.

Lagniappe is a Cajun word that means "a little something extra." Often, people at stores may give children a small piece of candy or a sticker and call it "lagniappe."

Sources:

Martin, G. (n.d.). For good measure.The meanings and origins of sayings and phrases . Retrieved January 3, 2012, from http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/for-good-measure.html

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