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WillowTheWhisp · 05-09-2005, 21:00

Unfortunately, there is a conspicuous lack of verifiable information about "happy as Larry." The phrase seems to have originated in Australia around the end of the 19th century, and first appeared in print (as far as we know so far) in 1905. The leading theory is that "happy as Larry" originally referred to the Australian boxer Larry Foley (1847-1917), but no one seems to know if, when or why boxer Larry would have been happy enough to inspire a popular saying of such remarkable longevity. (Word Detective)

There is also the theory that it could come from the word "larrikin" referring to someone larking about.

05-09-2005, 21:00	#110
WillowTheWhisp Resident Waffler Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Accrington, Hyndburn Posts: 18,142 Blog Entries: 14 Liked: 14 times Rep Power: 1060	Re: Good old Moorhead staff! Unfortunately, there is a conspicuous lack of verifiable information about "happy as Larry." The phrase seems to have originated in Australia around the end of the 19th century, and first appeared in print (as far as we know so far) in 1905. The leading theory is that "happy as Larry" originally referred to the Australian boxer Larry Foley (1847-1917), but no one seems to know if, when or why boxer Larry would have been happy enough to inspire a popular saying of such remarkable longevity. (Word Detective) There is also the theory that it could come from the word "larrikin" referring to someone larking about. __________________