What’s Good for the Goose Is Good for the Gander
What’s good for the goose is good for the gander means what’s fair for one person should be fair for another. The "goose" and "gander" refer to a female and male goose, used here to talk about fairness between people.
You also might hear 'what’s fair for the goose is fair for the gander,' but it's common all over I reckon. You also might hear 'what’s fair for the goose is fair for the gander,' but it's common all over I reckon. Pronunciation
Meaning & Usage
- The same standard should apply to everyone (proverb)
Late again?You did it yesterday-what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.Origin
The proverb dates back to at least the 1600s in England, rooted in everyday farm life. A "goose" is a female bird and a "gander" the male, so the saying originally meant: if one can eat something or be treated a certain way, the other should too.
It spread through popular English and became well known in America by the 1800s. While it isn’t specifically Southern in origin, the rural imagery makes it feel at home in Southern and country speech.
Verdict: Southernish. Universally used English proverb that fits naturally into Southern talk but did not originate there.
Notes
- Often used to call out double standards in relationships or rules.
- Still common today in both serious arguments and playful teasing.
- Frequently used by older speakers who grew up with traditional farm expressions.
- A polite but pointed way to say "you should play by the same rules as me."
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