do-good
UK[ˈduːˌɡʊd]US[ˈduːˌɡʊd]
n
A person who seeks to help others, especially in an idealistic but impractical or patronizing way.
Morpheme Breakdown
do
good
do
to perform
good
virtuous
Etymology
The compound noun 'do-good' is a modern English formation, directly combining the verb 'do' and the adjective 'good'. It emerged in the early 20th century, initially as a neutral term for a philanthropist but quickly acquiring a critical connotation. The term's logic is transparently literal—one who 'does good'—yet its evolution reflects a societal skepticism towards naive or self-righteous reformism. The pejorative sense highlights a perceived disconnect between the actor's virtuous intentions and the practical effectiveness or social acceptability of their actions.
Analysis
Structure: do (to perform) + good (virtuous)
- do: From Old English 'dōn', meaning to perform, act, or cause. Functional role: verb root.
- good: From Old English 'gōd', meaning virtuous, desirable, or beneficial. Functional role: noun/adjective root.
Examples
He was dismissed as a naive do-good with no understanding of the complex political realities.
Her efforts, though well-intentioned, earned her a reputation as an interfering do-good.
The policy was criticized as a do-good initiative that failed to address the root causes of poverty.