Whats the origin of the phrase twelve good men and true since 1920 in the uk and usa women serve on juries too when this phrase was coined in the early 17th century good implied distinguished rank or valour these days people arent required to be valiant or of high rank in order to be part of a jury. Twelve good men and true a jury of upright honest trustworthy people juries were once composed solely of men and so this phrase has begun falling into disuse i know the evidence i strong but we have to convince twelve good men and true beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is guilty. The phrase was adapted later to twelve good men and true indicating the twelve originally all men now both sexes of a criminal jury whats the origin of the phrase good men and true from shakespeares much ado about nothing 1599. Twelve good men and true a jury of upright honest trustworthy people juries were once composed solely of men and so this phrase has begun falling into disuse i know the evidence i strong but we have to convince twelve good men and true beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is guilty