I have two theories: A mudlark is a bird that could be found foraging on the banks of the River Thames in Victorian London, when the river was heavily polluted. Presumably they could have looked happy whilst foraging. A mudlark is also the name given to someone who works or spends time in mud, like a street urchin playing. As lark can also mean play as in "to lark about" this seems reasonable. We've all seen little boys who are happiest when getting themselves dirty. So maybe it is a parallel to the expression "happy as a pig in muck" There is some evidence that the bird was named after this definition of mudlark, rather than vice versa. I don't know if either are 100% true, but they do make sense
A mud lark is someone who scavenges in river mud for items of value such as; discarded rubbish, household items and toys. Children would scavenge in the River Thames during low tide, mud larks were usually young children aged between eight and fifteen or widowed women. Becoming a mud lark was a cry of desperation as it is considered one of the worst jobs on history. At the time of the Industrial Revolution, raw sewage and waste would wash onto the shores as well as the corpses of humans, cats and dogs. Mud larks would be lucky if they made a penny a day selling what they had found during low tide, which was the only time people could scavenge along the shores of the rivers.
Viking longhouses were made of wood and mud daub or pitch sealant. Where do you think the Viking shipbuilding expertise came from.
The phone number of the Lark Branch Library is: 956-681-3100.
lark or skylark
Happy
happy as a lark happy as a clam happy as a pig in mud happy as a kid in a candy store happy as a fly in honey
The Japanese folk song from Aomori is all about the changing seasons and it's affect on the mud lark and the singing frog. Summer and Spring being times that are playful where they are happy and free. Winter being cold and full of ice takes a toll on their 'heaven' or environment. While Autumn's changing leaves lead them to realize their world is on 'fire' and winter is coming. The poem goes as follows: When summer comes, The paddy pools grow warm The mud lark and the singing frog Are happy, are happy Thinking they're in bath. When winter comes, The paddy pools are filmed with ice, The mud lark and the singing frog Must think their heaven has stretched Has stretched and grown above. When spring comes There's water in the paddy pools The mud lark and the singing frog Are happy, are happy Thinking they're in the sea. When autumn comes, The hills and dales turn red The mud lark and the singing frog Craning their necks above, Must think of the hills are on fire.
lark skylark mud lark sea lark titlark sand lark rock lark meadow lark
The use of "as" in the phrase "happy as a lark" incorporates the use of a simile. In addition, lark is typically used as a symbol for hope, happiness and good fortune.
as happy as a lark, clown, lady bug, etc.
No, the phrase "happy as a lark" is a simile, not an analogy. It is comparing someone's happiness to the cheerful nature of a lark bird. Analogies draw comparisons between two things for the purpose of explanation or clarification.
Happy as a lark
This isn't an idiom because you can figure out what it means without someone telling you. When you see "AS ____ AS _____" you're looking at A Simile - a type of comparison. They're comparing someone's happiness to the happiness of a pig wallowing around in the mud.
it means to be very happy
The saying "happy as a lark" originates from the behavior of larks, which are known for their cheerful and lively songs during flight. The expression has been used to describe someone who is extremely joyful or content.
Happy as a lark is the cliché or overused expression.
The phrase, "Happy as a pig in mud," is used to describe a person who is extremely happy. It means someone is enjoying themselves.