happy as Larry
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
This has been said to refer to the Australian boxer Larry Foley (1849–1917), who never lost a fight. This is not likely as the earliest reference to the phrase is in a letter to the editor of the Illawarra Mercury in Wollongong, Australia in 1857.[1] In it the correspondent "G U A" (probably Dr. George Underwood Alley, known for regularly corresponding with newspapers) writes "...we'll all live together, like Brown's cows, and be as happy as Larry."
Pronunciation[edit]
Audio (AU) (file)
Adjective[edit]
Synonyms[edit]
- see Thesaurus:happy
Translations[edit]
extremely happy and carefree
References[edit]
- ^ Illawarra Mercury, 23 November 1857, page 2, "The Murray Land Bill No. 2"