"He's good people"

[BrokenVisage]

For some reason I cringe whenever I hear someone say this about somebody. Shouldn't it be something like:

"He's a good person" or "He's from good people"?

I don't get it, maybe it's just me though.

 

[MisterJackson]

That BrokenVisage...he's not good people

 

[destrekor]

I have NEVER heard the phrase you are questioning, but I have heard the phrases you suggest it should be.

+

 

[BrokenVisage]

Originally posted by: MisterJackson
That BrokenVisage...he's not good people

Be that as it may, it still sounds grammatically incorrect.

 

[JohnCU]

i think it's a southern thing, i hear it from old people all the time.

 

[rise]

Originally posted by: JohnCU
i think it's a southern thing, i hear it from old people all the time.

nah, i've lived in ma all my life and i hear it and use it myself.

 

[BoomerD]

I've heard people use that phrase for over 30 years. No idea where it actually comes from, but it was common back in the "hippie daze."

 

[meltdown75]

the first time i heard it was from your mom when she was talking about me.

 

[Alienwho]

I know in other languages, including Portuguese, this is a very common phrase. "Ele e a gente boa", "He is good people". Brazilians say it all the time, but I have pretty much never heard an American say it.

 

[Toastedlightly]

I love that phrase, gets weird looks.

 

[clamum]

meltdown75, he's good people.

 

[Leros]

Cool another phrase to add my "hick phrase" collection that drives my girlfriend nuts. Thanks!

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: clamum
meltdown75, he's good people.

that clamum, i tell you what - he's good people

 

[jiggahertz]

Originally posted by: rise

Originally posted by: JohnCU
i think it's a southern thing, i hear it from old people all the time.

nah, i've lived in ma all my life and i hear it and use it myself.

The only times I've heard it were from people in MA. I just figured it was one of those weird New England things.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Originally posted by: Leros
Cool another phrase to add my "hick phrase" collection that drives my girlfriend nuts. Thanks!

I don't think it's really a hick thing...I know some hardcore italians who use it.

 

[jwells777]

Punctuation, FTW?

I have heard this phrase used as addressing an editorial audience (i.e., "He's good, people" or equivalently "He's good, folks")

For some reason this reminds of a panda joke with the punch line: eats, shoots and leaves...

If this is actually said as stated without the punctuation, I have not heard anyone say that and it strikes me as just poor English.

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin

Originally posted by: Leros
Cool another phrase to add my "hick phrase" collection that drives my girlfriend nuts. Thanks!

I don't think it's really a hick thing...I know some hardcore italians who use it.

With a hick accent, it will still annoy her. Don't ruin my fun with your facts!

 

[ThePresence]

I've heard this used quite often.

 

[middlehead]

Originally posted by: jiggahertz

Originally posted by: rise

Originally posted by: JohnCU
i think it's a southern thing, i hear it from old people all the time.

nah, i've lived in ma all my life and i hear it and use it myself.

The only times I've heard it were from people in MA. I just figured it was one of those weird New England things.

Nope, not NE specific either.

 

[LtPage1]

I use it sometimes. I think it was in a Seinfeld episode.