2006-10-05 22:32:59 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Friends
Its an Australian saying ...
As happy as Larry
Meaning
Very happy.
Origin
Larry - certainly the best known character in the world of similes. Most likely to be an Australian or New Zealand expression.
The earliest printed reference currently known is from the New Zealand writer G. L. Meredith, dating from around 1875:
"We would be as happy as Larry if it were not for the rats".
Almost all the other early citations are from Australia or New Zealand. For example, this from Tom Collins (the pen name of the popular Australian writer Joseph Furphy), in 'Barrier Truth (Broken Hill)', 1903:
"Now that the adventure was drawing to an end, I found a peace of mind that all the old fogies on the river couldn't disturb. I was as happy as Larry."
larry foleyThere are two commonly repeated contenders for the derivation. One is that it refers to the Australian boxer Larry Foley (1847 - 1917). Foley was a successful boxer who never lost a fight. He retired at 32 and collected a purse of £1,000 for his final fight. So, we can expect that he was known to be happy with his lot in the 1870s - just when the phrase is first cited.
The alternative explanation is that it relates to the Cornish and later Australian/New Zealand slang term larrikin, meaning a rough type or hooligan, i.e. one predisposed to larking about. Larrikin would also have been a term that Meredith would have known. The earliest citation of that is also from New Zealand and also around the time of the first citation, in H. W. Harper's, 'Letters from New Zealand', 1868:
"We are beset with larrikins, who lurk about in the darkness and deliver every sort of attack on the walls and roof with stones and sticks."
2006-10-05 22:39:43 · answer #1 · answered by MrsDave 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have heard the expression"Happy as a Lark" but not Larry. You had better find out why Larry makes her so happy!!!!!!!
2006-10-05 23:05:43 · answer #2 · answered by Bella Donna 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it's Larry of "The Three Stooges". You know, Larry, Mo, and Curly.
2006-10-05 22:48:07 · answer #3 · answered by Ellen J 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why dont you just ask her who larry is ? that would make alot of sense wouldnt it. you might find out larry is just some random name she said and has decided to make it her own say. hahaha i do that all the time =]
2006-10-05 23:58:42 · answer #4 · answered by sarah m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She could be talking about my brother , his name is Larry
2006-10-05 23:00:53 · answer #5 · answered by Becky 604 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beats me, my brother always tell me he's drunk as Cooter Brown, who's that?
Could it be Larry "The Cable Guy"?
2006-10-05 22:34:50 · answer #6 · answered by Ladeebug71 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She meant Lark.
A small song bird,
The sky lark !
2006-10-05 22:39:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the guy she bangs behind ur back...she is ur wife ask her.
2006-10-05 22:40:56 · answer #8 · answered by and now you know 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
one of her exes
2006-10-05 22:34:29 · answer #9 · answered by Can I Be Your Pet? 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Her lover.
JUST KIDDING.
2006-10-05 22:35:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋