Boost Your Happiness Today with These Fun English Phrases
Are you feeling down and in need of a pick-me-up? Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of positivity and laughter to improve your mood. We’ve compiled a list of fun English phrases that will bring a smile to your face and help boost your happiness. So, why not give them a try and see how they can lift your spirits today?
“Bob’s your uncle!”
This phrase is used to express that something has been successfully completed or achieved. It’s often used in the UK and Australia and is said to have originated from when British Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil appointed his nephew, Arthur Balfour, as Chief Secretary for Ireland in 1887. It means that with Balfour as chief secretary, everything would be easy and successful, hence “Bob’s your uncle!”
“Happy as a clam”
Have you ever heard someone say they are “happy as a clam”? It’s a phrase used to express being very happy or content with a situation. The origins of the phrase are unclear, but it’s thought to have come from the full version, “happy as a clam at high water” - meaning that clams can only be dug up from the beach when the tide is low and hence safe from predators. So when the tide is high, the clams can relax and be happy!
“Piece of cake”
The phrase “piece of cake” is commonly used to describe something that is easy to do or accomplish. It’s often used when someone is being given a task and they believe it will be easy or when they have just successfully completed a task with ease. The origins of the phrase are uncertain, but it could come from easy simple tasks like cutting a cake.
“Tickled pink”
If someone is “tickled pink”, they are incredibly happy or overjoyed with a situation. It’s thought to have come from the phrase “tickled all colors” which referred to someone being so happy that they were flushed with different colors. Over time, it evolved into “tickled pink”.
“On cloud nine”
The phrase “on cloud nine” is often used to describe someone who is extremely happy or ecstatic. The origins of the phrase are unclear, but it’s believed to have come from the United States Weather Bureau, which listed cloud types and numbers, with “cloud nine” being the highest altitude a cloud could reach. So, being on cloud nine meant being at the highest point of happiness.
“Bless your heart”
In the Southern US, people use the phrase “bless your heart” to express sympathy or show kindness to someone. But, it can also be used sarcastically to insult someone. If someone says “bless your heart” in a condescending tone, it’s likely they mean the latter!
“Bobbing for apples”
“Bobbing for apples” is a fun party game often played in the autumn. Participants try to grab apples from a bucket or tub of water using only their mouth, without using their hands. The origins of the phrase are uncertain, but it’s thought to come from a pagan ritual to celebrate the Roman harvest goddess Pomona.
“Let the cat out of the bag”
This phrase is used to describe when someone reveals a secret, often by accident. It’s thought to have come from the medieval marketplace where people would buy and sell pigs. The pigs would occasionally be replaced with cats in a bag. If a dishonest seller revealed that a cat was in the bag, not a pig, they would have let the cat out of the bag.
So there you have it, some fun English phrases to brighten up your day and boost your happiness. Which one is your favorite?