good cess

English

Etymology

Uncertain, and also apparently varied, depending on context. Apart from the etymology of cess, as being from "success", "access" etc, some of the usages of good cess appear to refer to cesspool, as a place of suitable disposal.

Noun

good cess (uncountable)

1. (British) Good luck, favourable outcome, happiness
   • 1892, Sarah HEWETT, The Peasant Speech of Devon:

     Güde cess tü his sawl, poor blid! He hadden much ov thease world's güdes yer. He died game, 'e did, arter awl!

   • 1962, News for Farmer Cooperatives‎^[1], Information Office, Farm Credit Administration:

     Midland has had good cess with using minute commercials eight television stations, cited as one example of modernizing its advertising.

2. (British) Good riddance, a suitable dismissal or disposal of something worthless or harmful.
   • 1869, R. D. Blackmore, Lorna Doone, →ISBN:

     "It be nawbody," said John, "vor us to make a fush about. Belong to t'other zide o' the moor, and come staling shape to our zide. Red Jem Hannaford his name. Thank God for him to be hanged, lad; and good cess to his soul, for craikin' zo."

Usage notes

cf. bad cess usage notes.