Meaning
Very contented, comfortable, and satisfied. Current and widely understood Regional use: United States, probably associated early with the Northeast coast.
Origin
An American simile printed by 1833. Expanded 1836 and 1844 forms say happy as a clam at high water or high-water mark, when a clam lies safely covered and is harder to gather. The shortened form actually appears in print first, so the longer wording explains the image but should not automatically be described as the original complete phrase.
Research Sources
References used to check this entry’s meaning, history, or documented forms.
Variants
- happy as a clam at high tide
- happy as a clam at high water
- happy as a clam at high-water mark
Usage Examples
- Give Rosa a book and a quiet corner and she is happy as a clam.
- The children were happy as clams at high water in the warm shallows.