we went a goodish way

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to give me your considered opinion concerning the interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentence?

We went a goodish way, and then we came across a man and asked him to direct us to a few hotels. (Jerome K. Jerome, “Three Men in a Boat”)

we went a goodish way = we walked quite far

V.

[dsec]

it's a pretty common expression, especially in the 19th century

we should bring it back

same with "a-verbing", you use to see that everywhere in 18th century literature. angry? go 'a-frowning' somewhere. drunk? get 'a-fainting', pronto.

i miss the old days