Who the hell was Riley and why do people who enjoy leisure have the "life of Riley"?

Answer 1

There are several explanations for this phrase, all of them centring on popular music.

William and Mary Morris point to a comic song written by the vaudevillian Pat Rooney in 1890 in which the hero of the song, a hotel-keeper named Reilly (or Riley), describes what he will do when he strikes it rich: New York “will swim in wine when the White House and Capitol are mine”. A version made famous by burlesque performers Ned Harrigan and Tony Hart has these lines in the chorus:

Well, if that's Mr. Riley
They speak of so highly.
Why, faith, Mr Riley,
You're looking quite well. It was revived and updated in 1915 as a patriotic war song under the title Are you the O’Reilly? as an attempt to cash in on the success of It’s a Long, Long Way to Tipperary, and contained the chorus line “Gor blim me, O’Reilly, you are looking well”.

H L Mencken suggested as an alternative possible source The Best in the House is None Too Good for Reilly, which was written by Lawlor and Black at about the same period as Pat Rooney’s song.

On this side of the Atlantic, it is firmly believed that the song is of Anglo-Irish origins, and that the popularity of the phrase dates from a music-hall song My Name is Kelly written by Pease in 1919, which has the line “Faith and my name is Kelly, Michael Kelly, But I’m living the life of Reilly just the same”. Pease is here using a phrase which he obviously expected his audience to recognise, but we have no earlier recorded use.

Eric Partridge also thought the phrase is British and that it was taken up in America only in the 1930s, which would make the various US songs irrelevant as sources. But we just don’t know the truth of the matter. The spelling of the name is as variable as that of the Irish surname itself, but Riley now seems to be preferred.

Answer 2

Riley was a very rich, very pampered philanthropist from the early 19th century. Although he led the good life, he did give back to the community by founding and supporting many charitable foundations; many of which are still in operation today. Riley was very well known for the lavish and extravagant parties he threw that always included the who's who of the times. In his days these were mostly writers. Often he would host benefits to raise money for his charities which combatted things like child labor and fought for things like healthcare for the poor.

Answer 3

A movie, in 1949, called 'The Life of Riley'. It featured William Bendix as Chester A. Riley, and Rosemary DeDamp as his wife, Peg Riley. It's a classic comedy.

Rent the movie & you'll understand why the saying has stuck.

Answer 4

"The Life of Riley" was a sit-com from the 50's. It may have been on radio too but that was before my time. I am 51 and I have a memory of seeing that show on TV. The actor has been in many movies but his name escapes me right now.

Answer 5

"The Life of Riley" is in referance to an old radio program of the 40's. It was a comedy about a guy who was not so bright that got into a lot of fixes by thinking he could do better by doing things his way. It always worked out in the end of course.

Answer 6

You mean Pat Riley

Answer 7

Riley is my cat's name. I sure wouldn't mind his life sometimes.
Sorry don't know the correct answer to this one. Here is a link that might help.

Answer 8

riley is my friends m=name

Answer 9

RILEY WAS WILLEM BENDIX-------HE WAS IN A TV SHOW IN THE 1950'S THE NAME OF THE SHOW WAS THE LIFE OF RILEY------THIS GUY WAS SERVED HAND AND FOOT BY HIS WIFE AND KIDS------IT WAS PRETTY DUMB

AB

Answer 10

Ben Reilly was supposedly the clone of Peter Parker (Spider-Man).