LadyButterfly she/her@piefed.blahaj.zone to memes@lemmy.worldEnglish · 5 days agoTotallypiefed.cdn.blahaj.zoneimagemessage-square16linkfedilinkarrow-up1455arrow-down117
arrow-up1438arrow-down1imageTotallypiefed.cdn.blahaj.zoneLadyButterfly she/her@piefed.blahaj.zone to memes@lemmy.worldEnglish · 5 days agomessage-square16linkfedilink
minus-squareFooBarrington@lemmy.worldlinkfedilinkarrow-up19arrow-down1·5 days 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-up12arrow-down1·5 days agoAlso more poetic, shows up in poetry and song lyrics, pre-written spreches, etc.
minus-squareCapt. Wolf@lemmy.worldlinkfedilinkarrow-up7·5 days 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.