1851–61. H. Mayhew, Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, iii., p. 224. Happy families, or assemblages of animals of diverse habits and propensities living amicably, or at least quietly, in one cage.
Happy-go-lucky, subs. (colloquial).—Careless; thoughtless; improvident. Fr., va comme je te pousse and à la flan.
1856. Reade, Never Too Late to Mend, ch. xv. In the happy-go-lucky way of his class.
1883. Illust. London News, 8 Dec., p. 551, c. 1. He dashes off a play in a happy-go-lucky style, basing it on theatrical precedent so far as certain stock situations are concerned.
Happy Hunting-grounds, subs. (American).—1. The future state; glory (q.v.). [From the North-American Indian’s conception of heaven.]
1848. Ruxton, Life in the Far West, p. 98. After a long journey, they will reach the happy hunting-grounds.
1891. Gunter, Miss Nobody of Nowhere, ch. v. Old Mescal is now keeping a sharp eye out for the child and the cowboy, that he may send them to the happy hunting-grounds also.
2. (colloquial).—A favourable place for work or play.
1892. Cassell’s Sat. Journal, 26 Oct., p. 119. The happy hunting-ground of the swell mobsman is the opening of some Exhibition.
3. (venery).—The female pudendum. For synonyms, see Monosyllable.