"Happy as a Clam"?

Random thought of the day - What's with the expression "Happy as a clam"? Really? For years now (okay months) I've struggled to grasp the meaning behind this old saying. Full disclosure: I have nothing against clams - they're actually quite wonderful for a variety of reasons. However, I don't see how a clam has any reason to be "happy".

Did you know in October of '07 someone found a clam off the coast of Iceland that was discovered to be at least 405 years old? It was declared the world's oldest living animal! Even the mythical giant clams live for 100+ years. Maybe "Old as a clam" or "Wise as a clam" make more sense. Longevity has it's perks, but over the course of a century (or more), how much can that clam really experience? It's not like they travel, or meet other mollusks, or come up for air. It seems more like a interminable life sentence in solitary confinement - hardly the "happy" clam we've all envisioned.

I will admit I've encountered several clams that had a slightly curved mantle resembling a smile. But I couldn't help feeling sorry for the mollusk, pinned to a rock, getting sloshed by briny sea water for hundreds of years. We all know a smile is only skin (or shell) deep, so I'm hesitant to endorse an ancient expression based solely on a curve. Dolphins also seem to be smiling - are they happy too? Yes! They're beautiful, active and adventurous. . . and not pinned to a rock. "Happy as a dolphin" I say!

At the end of the day, the fate of "Happy as a clam" is undecided. Whether or not a clam is truly happy might be ancillary to the fact the saying gets the point across. When someone says, "He's happy as a clam," we all understand the intention. But here at Unhindered Thought, we try and shed a bit of light on things not often lighted. . .