Good riddance

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Good riddance

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Meaning

An expression of pleasure on being rid of some annoyance - usually an individual.

Origin

From Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida, 1609:

THERSITES I will see you hanged, like clotpoles, ere I come any more to your tents: I will keep where there is wit stirring and leave the faction of fools.
PATROCLUS: A good riddance.

The phrase is often extended and emphasized as to good riddance to bad rubbish, or as it was first coined good riddance of bad rubbish. Charles Dickens was the first author to record that in print, in his 1848 novel Dombey and son:

"A good riddance of bad rubbish!" said that wrathful old lady [speaking of Susan Nipper]. "Get along with you, or I'll have you carried out!"

See other phrases and sayings from Shakespeare.