<P> The History of Little Goody Two - Shoes is a children's story published by John Newbery in London in 1765 . The story popularized the phrase "goody two - shoes", often used to describe an excessively virtuous person, a do - gooder . </P> <P> Goody Two - Shoes is a variation of the Cinderella story . The fable tells of Goody Two - Shoes, the nickname of a poor orphan girl named Margery Meanwell, who goes through life with only one shoe . When a rich gentleman gives her a complete pair, she is so happy that she tells everyone that she has "two shoes". Later, Margery becomes a teacher and marries a rich widower . This earning of wealth serves as proof that her virtuousness has been rewarded, a popular theme in children's literature of the era . </P>

What is the meaning of goody two shoes