LadyButterfly she/her@piefed.blahaj.zone to memes@lemmy.worldEnglish · 2 months agoTotallypiefed.cdn.blahaj.zoneimagemessage-square16linkfedilinkarrow-up1451arrow-down115
arrow-up1436arrow-down1imageTotallypiefed.cdn.blahaj.zoneLadyButterfly she/her@piefed.blahaj.zone to memes@lemmy.worldEnglish · 2 months agomessage-square16linkfedilink
minus-squareFooBarrington@lemmy.worldlinkfedilinkarrow-up18arrow-down1·2 months agoAgain, “happy as a clam” is very informal. “Free as a bird” is much less so, so it makes sense it pops up more often in literature.
minus-squareouthouseperilous@lemmy.dbzer0.comlinkfedilinkarrow-up11arrow-down1·2 months agoAlso more poetic, shows up in poetry and song lyrics, pre-written spreches, etc.
minus-squareCapt. Wolf@lemmy.worldlinkfedilinkarrow-up7·2 months agoIt’s also been used much longer. First known use of “happy as as a clam” was 1833 versus “free as a bird” being used in the 17th century.
Again, “happy as a clam” is very informal. “Free as a bird” is much less so, so it makes sense it pops up more often in literature.
Also more poetic, shows up in poetry and song lyrics, pre-written spreches, etc.
It’s also been used much longer. First known use of “happy as as a clam” was 1833 versus “free as a bird” being used in the 17th century.