Goody two shoes

This description of someone who is cloyingly virtuous dates from the late 18th/early 19th century and derives from the title of a nursery tale The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes, which was published in 1765. The authorship is disputed. Although most often attributed to Oliver Goldsmith, perhaps a verdict of anonymous is more appropriate. In the nursery tale, Goody Two-shoes is the name given to an orphan child called Margery Meanwell. Margery is so poor that she only possesses one shoe, until she is given another one by a wealthy gentleman. The child is so delighted that she keeps repeating that she has two shoes and tells everyone she meets until they all start calling her Little Goody Two-Shoes.