#lucky dog
Three different phrases which always have the same meaning: A person who is lucky in something, whether the persons deserves it or not.
How did that come about?
The German word »Glückspilz« (Lucky Mushroom) is rooted in the growing of mushrooms. When mushrooms appear, they appear frequently and grow fast. Before the 19th Century the meaning of »Glückspilz« had a negative connotation and meant people that mushroomed very fast. These very fast growing people brought it to money and wealth fast.
The Swedish pendant to German mushrooms is a cheese. That is because in Sweden a brainless person was called »cheese« (»Ost«) in earlier times. If this person nevertheless was lucky without actively pursuing their luck, they were called »lucky cheese«.
The English pendant to the mushroom and cheese is no-one less than the »devil«. As in the German and Swedish examples it emphasizes the fact, that someone is lucky in a situation, whether the one deserves it or not. The abusive term »devil« is used because in earlier times people thought that one must have made a pact with the devil.
Photos:
- Mushroom: J. Ramsden https://flic.kr/p/a7jyie
- Cheese: ulterior epicure https://flic.kr/p/A7ZBb
- Devil: C. Lorenzo https://flic.kr/p/54Pyhx
References:
- http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/devil’s_luck
- http://de.wiktionary.org/wiki/lyckans_ost#lyckans_ost_.28Schwedisch.29
- http://de.wiktionary.org/wiki/Glückspilz
There are a few more expressions with the same meaning:
Lucky dog, lucky child or even lucky bastard.
Do you have other examples?
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“The Lucky Dog” - Tonnesen Sisters print, supplement to the Rocky Mountain News, Sept. 29, 1901.
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