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Khoff Posted 21 years ago
Vocabulary
As happy as a . . .
I'd be interested in hearing how all you "guys" would complete this phrase. Nothing too creative, please, I'm looking for the cliche! I'd like to know if there's a difference between AmE and BrE here. Thanks!
(In case you missed the discussion of "guys," I mean the group as a whole - men, women, children. . . )
(In case you missed the discussion of "guys," I mean the group as a whole - men, women, children. . . )
Top answer
Happy as a clam.
- Happy as a clam.
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26 Answers
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clam
AND:
"nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs"
AND:
"nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs"
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I'd come across "happy as a lark", "happy as a box of birds" and "as a happy as a sandboy" (a British saying I suppose). There must be great many ones based on similes.
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"happy as a pig in muck" (and there is a slightly coarser version as well)
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I'd have said first "as a lark", and second "as a clam", and they sure don't convey the same feeling. Isn't the clam version more US E?
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I think "clam" is AmE, Anne. It doesn't convey the same meaning to me because it's not common usage over here, but maybe it feels the same in the US.
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I am familiar with the 'clam' one, but usually use the 'pig' one (coarser version).
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The pig (coarser) version is most common, or it also gets euphamised as 'a pig in clover'. I've not hear the clam.
I also know 'happy as larry' and 'happy as a sandboy' (I don't know what or who a sandboy or Larry are but I take it they are happy!)
I also know 'happy as larry' and 'happy as a sandboy' (I don't know what or who a sandboy or Larry are but I take it they are happy!)
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To Abbie,
A lark and a clam must express their happiness in quite different ways, so to me both expressions convey different feelings. "As a lark" sounds carefree, whereas "as a clam" suggests "snuggishness"
A lark and a clam must express their happiness in quite different ways, so to me both expressions convey different feelings. "As a lark" sounds carefree, whereas "as a clam" suggests "snuggishness"
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I'd forgotten "happy as Larry". This is what phrasefinder has to say about it:
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/40850.html
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/40850.html
Probably an Australian expression. Thought to refer to the Australian boxer Larry Foley (1847 - 1917). Why was he so happy? I've n
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