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Good to go

(29 Posts)
Greta Wed 21-Nov-18 16:15:32

Where does this come from? I hear it a lot these days, something is "good to go". Yesterday in the supermarket I saw a big sign saying "Food to go". First I thought it was food that had reached its sell-by-date but it turned out to be mostly snacks.

And why doesn't good rhyme with food?

grannyticktock Sun 25-Nov-18 17:56:12

I don't think I'd ever say that a bank note wouldn't "go", but I would use it of machines and gadgets even stationary ones that don't go anywhere:
I've changed the battery but this torch still doesn't go.
The oven's OK but the grill won't go.

Oakleaf Sat 24-Nov-18 22:18:08

I'm browsing the OED and the verb "to go" in the sense of pregnancy is interesting.

In the 19C someone might have said:

I go with child or/
The woman goes nine months and then brings forth a child.

Nowadays we still say: She's three months gone.

Also, I like how "go" used to be use to describe coins or banknotes which could be accepted as currency (or not):

This half crown will never go. It's brass.

Nowadays, if we were using "go" in this way I suppose we would say:

I have an old paper five pound note which will not go.

Lynne59 Sat 24-Nov-18 21:51:05

Also, why are coffee shop assistants called baristas? They press a couple of knobs, bang the tin cup thing very loudly, and fill the thing up with coffee. I want a job with a fancy title grin

Greta Thu 22-Nov-18 18:19:39

Yes, *grannyticktock^, 'go' can also be a noun:

from the word go
give it a go
at a go

grannyticktock Thu 22-Nov-18 17:51:32

There's also, "Can I have a go?" meaning a turn.

Nonnie Thu 22-Nov-18 13:23:42

Carry out is certainly used for takeaways in Northern Ireland

grandtanteJE65 Thu 22-Nov-18 12:29:56

I agree that in my childhood in Scotland a carry oot was definitely alchohol from either the pub or perhaps a licensed grocer, but I think now most Scots use the expression for "takeaway food" too, certainly they did in Edinburgh when we were there a few years ago.

But yes, "to go" in this sense is yet another Americanism.

It struck me the other day, that you can say," leave go" meaning "take your hands off" someone or something.
This is a completely different usage of "go" than any other I can think of in English.

Can anyone contribute other odd expressions with "go"?

Teetime Thu 22-Nov-18 09:59:16

I love to invoke my inner Lady Bracknell when I am asked in food outlets if I want my coffee' to go'. In a loud voice I reply 'YES PLEASE. I would like to take it with me!!' wink.
My other favourite thing is to follow some one who has said 'can I get?' to the assistant/barista(!) ' PLEASE may I have?' in an even louder voice.

grannyticktock Thu 22-Nov-18 09:49:50

Interestingly, we still tend to call it a takeaway even when it's delivered, while "to go" seems to be reserved for food you collect yourself or pick off a shelf. Scots seem to disagree on whether they'd call takeaway fish-and-chips a carry-oot, but I don't think they would use this for a delivered "takeaway".

I don't really get why anyone would want a coffee "to go". For me, the whole point of a coffee is that I can stop and take a break while I drink it. I hate to see drivers at servicestations getting into their cars and setting off sipping a beaker of scalding coffee, it can't be safe.

Greta Thu 22-Nov-18 09:22:37

mcem, in Hampshire where I live 'good (gud)' rhymes with 'hood (hud'). 'Food (fu:d)' rhymes with 'rude (ru:d). I am sure there are regional variations. But if you had to teach a non-English speaker how to pronounce these words I believe that is how they would sound.

CocoPops Thu 22-Nov-18 07:22:06

Ee 'eck lass. Baggs, thee made me smile. I went to school in Wakefield.

Baggs Thu 22-Nov-18 06:02:36

In English English, mcem, the double o in food is a longer sound than the double o in good.

My form mistress in my first year at secondary school was from Aberdeen. I was at school in Lancashire. One of the first things she told us first formers was that we should not leave food in the bootroom. I remember noticing that the way she said food and boot were different from how I was used to hearing them said.

When she asked us where we were from (can,t remember why) I told her in my best Yorkshire accent that I came from Poodsey, weir watter flows up t'ill and doocks fly back'ards to keep soot aart o their een. She asked me to kaindly speak Englesh.

Accents vary. I'm sure you know this.

CocoPops Thu 22-Nov-18 04:09:20

Me: Hi. A cappuccino with almond milk please.
Barista: OK. Hi how are you today? Here or to go?
Me: Good thanks. How are you? Here please.
Barista: Good thanks. Enjoy your coffee Ma'am.
(North America)

Lynne59 Wed 21-Nov-18 21:39:34

I also hate it when people say "I'm good" when they've been asked how they are.

"Can I get..." is another one.
"you guys.."

don't get me started angry

notanan2 Wed 21-Nov-18 18:43:42

Yeah a carry out is booze not food. Not just in Scotland.

mcem Wed 21-Nov-18 18:42:20

Reading the op I was puzzled because good does rhyme with food. How "should" it sound?

Daddima Wed 21-Nov-18 18:16:09

In Glasgow there used to be a pub called the Kerry Inn. The off-license next door was called the Kerry Oot!

MaizieD Wed 21-Nov-18 18:08:39

"carry oot" in Scotland has nothing to do with food

Really shock Do tell, what is it?

Because that's what my Scottish born and raised niece and nephew have always called what we would call a 'takeaway'...

notanan2 Wed 21-Nov-18 18:00:06

People use it because it sounds less grotty than getting Take Away grin its the same thing just sounds less shameful and dirty Lol

"Shall we get some food to go" sounds less grim than "lets get a take away" grin even though its essentially the same thing, just poshified.

MawBroon Wed 21-Nov-18 17:31:51

gringrin ????

Esspee Wed 21-Nov-18 17:30:45

grannyticktock a "carry oot" in Scotland has nothing to do with food.smile

Greta Wed 21-Nov-18 17:28:37

Thank you. I'm sure you are right that it's American. The 'good' we have discussed before as in "How are you?" "Answer: "I'm good". I always feel I want to say "I'm not enquiring about your morals, just your health".

Odd though that we have one perfectly adequate word, i.e. 'ready' and need to replace it with three.

grannyticktock Wed 21-Nov-18 17:24:41

And I accept, albeit reluctantly, that food or drink "to go" means to take away, or "carry oot" as the Scots say.

BlueBelle Wed 21-Nov-18 16:55:50

Stella I m with you that’s how I ve heard it used It just means ready

stella1949 Wed 21-Nov-18 16:54:04

To me, good to go means it's ready now. It doesn't have to apply to food - if a person is all dressed and ready to go out, they are "good to go".