boon

Something that is both good and bad at once. We're short-staffed right now, so all this work we've gotten lately is both a boon and a bane

Something that is either good or bad. All this work is either a boon or a bane—we'll find out which when we see if the workers can keep up with it all.

One's close friend. Oh, I'm sure he invited Dave—that's his ace boom-boom.

A reclaimed term in the black community for one's close friend. However, it is potentially offensive due to "coon" being a racial slur. Oh, I'm sure he invited Dave—that's his ace boon-coon.

One's close or closest friend, especially someone with whom one enjoys spending time or sharing activities. My wife and I are also boon companions—we do everything together!

Something that be may either good or bad, depending on context. All this work could be either boon or bane—we'll find out once we see if the workers can keep up with it all. Residents in the region are still waiting to find out if the new tax proposal will prove boon or bane.

A favorite friend, a convivial associate. Now on its way to obsolescence, the adjective “boon” comes from the French bon, for “good,” and has meant “jolly” since the twelfth century. As for the pairing with “companion,” several sources cite the Roman epigrammist Martial, who wrote nulli tefacias nimis sodalem, which has been translated as “to no man make yourself a boon companion.” The association with drinking was made explicit by John Arbuthnot (The History of John Bull, 1712): “A boon companion, loving his bottle and his diversion.”