You’ve probably heard the phrase “good enough for government work.” Perhaps you’ve uttered that phrase yourself. I certainly have on more than one occasion, usually when I was frustrated, or tired of working on some task.
The phrase is generally used now days as a pejorative to express substandard or poorly executed work, mediocre at best. It’s usually uttered when we finally decide we’re not putting any additional time or effort into improving the quality of our work, when we’ve resigned ourselves to accepting a result that we know is not our best, or is not up to our best standards.
The expression originated during World War II from the machinist trade, where it meant work that could pass the most rigorous of standards, and was suitable for use by the military to help win the war effort. Today’s use has connotations implying the complete opposite of its original meaning, and is probably a product of societies general dislike and distrust in government.
I have a miniature wagon machined from aluminum by my late grandmother, when she worked as a machinist in the aviation industry during WWII. The workmanship, (workwomenship if that’s a word), is impeccable, and it amazes me that someone would put that much time and effort into what I guess was probably a practice exercise. I view it as an example of the work ethic that existed at the time, and it inspires me to do better quality work myself.
If I truly want my work to be described as Fine Woodworking, this phrase either has no place in my lexicon, or I need to remember its original meaning, and start putting the emphasis on the word “good” and not on the word “enough.”
As woodworkers, I think we should all strive to produce work that’s “Good enough for government work.”