Who decided that clams were so happy?

[Beelzebabe]

Where did the phrase “Happy as a clam” originate? Why are clams considered to be happy? I mean, the only time I even see a clam is when I’m about to eat it, and it doesn’t seem like that would be such a happy situation for the clam.

[chacoguy]

Clams have two basic biological functions:

1. Eat

2. Have Sex

Questions?

[SiXSwordS]

World Wide Words: Happy as a clam

[Tool_of_the_Conspiracy]

It’s a shortened version of the older expression “happy as a clam at high tide”. When the tide is in, clams are safe from humans trying to dig them up.

[Squink]

'As happy as a clam' - the meaning and origin of this phrase

The phrase originated in the north-eastern states of the USA in the early 19th century. The earliest citation that I can find is from a frontier memoir The Harpe’s Head - A Legend of Kentucky, 1833:

"It never occurred to him to be discontented... He was as happy as a clam."

[Johnny_L.A]

@Tool_of_the_Conspiracy

It’s a shortened version of the older expression “happy as a clam at high tide”.

The way I heard it, it was ‘as happy as a clam in its bed’.

[Hampshire]

I had always assumed it had to do with a closed clam shell looking like a very broad wide smile.
Maybe that’s just me.