Two idioms-same meaning?

Do these two idioms have the same meaning?

1. to be as pleased as Punch
2. to be as merry as a lark

Which one is more common

Thank you in advance and best regards.

[henry]

Originally Posted by P. Fogg

Do these two idioms have the same meaning?

1. to be as pleased as Punch
2. to be as merry as a lark

Which one is more common

Thank you in advance and best regards.

I am not sure if I've ever heard of " to be merry as a lark."

:wink:

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by P. Fogg

Do these two idioms have the same meaning?

1. to be as pleased as Punch
2. to be as merry as a lark

Which one is more common

Thank you in advance and best regards.

They both involve happiness, but the first is usually about something specific. The second is more of a general tendency.

I am as pleased as punch to see you.
Oh, you know John. He's as merry as a lark/happy as a pig in slop.

I don't find either to be very common. The first was often used by Hubert Horatio Humphrey, a Minnesota politician and former Vice-President of the US (with Lyndon Johnson, 1964-1968).

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

They both involve happiness, but the first is usually about something specific. The second is more of a general tendency.

I am as pleased as punch to see you.
Oh, you know John. He's as merry as a lark/happy as a pig in slop.

I don't find either to be very common. The first was often used by Hubert Horatio Humphrey, a Minnesota politician and former Vice-President of the US (with Lyndon Johnson, 1964-1968).

Could you tell me a more common one that involves happiness?

P. Fogg

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by P. Fogg

Could you tell me a more common one that involves happiness?

P. Fogg

Well, "happy as a pig in slop/shit" is one. Be careful about the "shit" version -- it's not for polite company. :wink:

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

Well, "happy as a pig in slop/shit" is one. Be careful about the "shit" version -- it's not for polite company. :wink:

Thank you for your quick answer. :D

P. Fogg

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by P. Fogg

Thank you for your quick answer. :D

P. Fogg

You're welcome. :wink:

[blacknomi]

Originally Posted by P. Fogg

Do these two idioms have the same meaning?
1. to be as pleased as Punch
2. to be as merry as a lark

3. happy as a box of birds
4. happy as a clam
5. happy as a flea at a dog show
6. happy as Larry


Questions.
1. Are they with the same meanings?
2. Can I say "You smile like a clam."
3. P.Fogg mentioned a phrase here "as pleased as Punch". Is it related to Punch and Judy show? A traditional children's entertainment in which a man, Mr Punch, argues with his wife, Judy. It was especially popular in the past as an entertainment in British towns by the sea in summer. (from dictionary cambridge website)


Well...curiosity kills sabrina.

Thank you in advance.

Originally Posted by blacknomi

3. happy as a box of birds
4. happy as a clam
5. happy as a flea at a dog show
6. happy as Larry


Questions.
1. Are they with the same meanings?
2. Can I say "You smile like a clam."
3. P.Fogg mentioned a phrase here "as pleased as Punch". Is it related to Punch and Judy show? A traditional children's entertainment in which a man, Mr Punch, argues with his wife, Judy. It was especially popular in the past as an entertainment in British towns by the sea in summer. (from dictionary cambridge website)

Well...curiosity kills sabrina.

Thank you in advance.

My dictionary shows a relation between the phrase an the show.

P. Fogg

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by blacknomi

3. happy as a box of birds
4. happy as a clam
5. happy as a flea at a dog show
6. happy as Larry


Questions.
1. Are they with the same meanings?
2. Can I say "You smile like a clam."
3. P.Fogg mentioned a phrase here "as pleased as Punch". Is it related to Punch and Judy show? A traditional children's entertainment in which a man, Mr Punch, argues with his wife, Judy. It was especially popular in the past as an entertainment in British towns by the sea in summer. (from dictionary cambridge website)


Well...curiosity kills sabrina.

Thank you in advance.

1. I've heard #4 and #5.

Also "happy as a kid in a candy store".

2. Never heard that.

3. Very possible. :wink: