Why are clams considered happy? What makes them seem happy?
I was just saying I was happy as a clam but I wouldn't know why a clam is considered happy...
Can't say I have seen an unhappy clam mind you...the dead ones don't seem so perky but perhaps being tossed into boiling water is a peaceful way to die?
Or are they steamed...I don't cook clams, can't stand the things.....
Hmmm, well the answers are enlightening! I always thought it was because the opening of the clam's shell resembles a wide smile.
Well, here's the boring answer. "Happy as a clam" is only part of the phrase. It is actually " Happy as a clam at high water". In New England clams can only be harvested at low tide. So the clam is safe and happy when the water is high.
I copied and pasted this - can't take the credit for it!
What I wonder is who originally thought to pry one of these buggers open and try to eat one?
Ah Ha!!!!!
The phrase was originally "happy as a clam IN MUD AT HIGH TIDE". Which was when you can't find them to cook and eat them! So, he's happy cuz he's safe.
We have dropped the ending, so people just say "happy as a clam".
Interesting, I always thought it was the way the shell was formed - looked like a smile.
Clams can only be harvested @ low tide, the original phrase was "happy as a clam at high tide" or in high water... hence, when they were safe from being harvested & eaten.
http://www.wisegeek.org/where-did-the-saying-happy-as-a-c...
T.
Well, J. - it's an old saying...said several different ways....
happy as a clam at high tide...
happy as a clam at high water...
happy as a clam
started back in the 1800's from what I can tell. People thought that clams were "smiling" when they were open...and high tide because they are free from their predators...as clams are dug up at low tide...
others seem to think it means people are unhappy or hate their environment, yet smile about it...
Hope that helps!
My husband and I talk about this all the time!! (I wish I was kidding about how often we talk about it! It's stupid really.)
I found this online, "Clams can only be dug up at low tides, so at high tide a clam is safer and secure, so therefore, happy."
Well, there ya go. Most of their life sucks, because they are being dug up or pecked at by birds. They get to feel relief for a little while, then they are back to dreading being the one chosen. Yeah, sounds real happy.
As far as I'm concerned, clams present a huge smile when they're opened. That's my vote.
Thank you. I learned something today! I have to say that I prefer this saying over the one involving a swine being happy in feces!
I actually learned the origin of the phrase "raining cats and dogs" the other day, too. Pretty gross, but it involves animals living in thatched roofs for warmth during Medieval times. When it rained, the straw became slippery. When it poured, whatever critters were living in the thatch would fall through into the home. Hence... "it's raining cats and dogs". Gross, but it makes sense!
Clams can be asexual, which should explain alot.
i never knew the below i always thought it was because their opening resembled a smile, now after reading about thier rather sad life i dont like the saying!
