Shit-eating grin (NEED ANSWER FAST)

[Buford_was_no_angel]

What is the etymology of this phrase? Examples would be appreciated.

[RealityChuck]

The OED gives these as the first cites:

@OED

a. Designating a broad grin expressing uncontrollable delight or self-satisfaction, esp. characterized by awareness of having got away with something normally considered outrageous or improper; (also) designating a consciously disarming, self-deprecating, slightly cheeky grin, often used to deflect censure or disapproval.

[1949 Amer. Legion Mag. Sept. 61/1 This lad…brings with him wide blue eyes, a butch haircut, a shy, shingle-eating grin, and a firm conviction that no real bullets will be used.]
1956 J. Moffett in New World Writing No. 10. 16 You’ve got the most shit-eating grin I ever saw.
1958 Stack A Lee (typescript, Kinsey Inst.) 1 Another bitch looked at Stack with a shit eating smile And said, dont look like you’ve had any for quite awhile.

I would assume the smugness of the appearance has something to do with the etymology.

[pool]

Not sure on the etymology but I’ve also heard a variant phrased as “smiling like a possum eating a pile of shit”.

[Hilarity_N.Suze]

Ever have a puppy?

[Lucas_Jackson]

@pool

Not sure on the etymology but I’ve also heard a variant phrased as “smiling like a possum eating a pile of shit”.

Where I came from it was “grinning like a possum eating shit out of a coke bottle”.

[Nefario]

Ever see a dog eat their own vomit? I suspect this is close…

Dogs have a way of rolling back their lips and exposing their teeth when they choose to eat something that tastes bad but they want it anyway.

[Buford_was_no_angel]

Thanks for the replies, folks. Does anyone have a photographic example?

[Buford_was_no_angel]

Would this count?

http://https://www.google.com/search?q=hank+williams+jr+greatest+hits&biw=1600&bih=806&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIifW5-_fzxgIV0LIeCh0hRwom#imgrc=og3LR77m-kYs6M%3A

[Buford_was_no_angel]

Oops. Link didn’t work. I’m thinking the album cover of Hank Williams, Jr.'s Greatest Hits might be a good example.

[DrDeth]

Dogs will eat cat shit and “grin” while doing it.

[Colibri]

@Buford_was_no_angel

Oops. Link didn’t work. I’m thinking the album cover of Hank Williams, Jr.'s Greatest Hits might be a good example.

Here it is. However, I think that looks more like laughter than a grin.

I think this is more like it.

Possibly related is the expression “happy as a pig in shit.” Both pigs and dogs will happily eat shit.

[yabob]

@Colibri

Here it is. However, I think that looks more like laughter than a grin.

I think this is more like it.

Possibly related is the expression “happy as a pig in shit.” Both pigs and dogs will happily eat shit.

I think a really proper SEG involves both very exposed teeth and the mouth closed, and neither of those does. Jimmy Carter or David Bromberg are practitioners who spring to mind.