| 释义 |
DictionarySeelifethe life of Riley
the life of RileyA life of great ease, comfort, or luxury, used especially in the phrase "lead/live the life of Riley." The phrase is likely of early 20th-century Irish-American origin, but to whom Riley refers is uncertain. Pampered from a young age after his father came into sudden wealth, Jonathan led the life of Riley compared to the hardships his older siblings faced.See also: life, of, rileylife of RileyAlso, life of Reilly. An easy life, as in Peter had enough money to take off the rest of the year and live the life of Riley. This phrase originated in a popular song of the 1880s, "Is That Mr. Reilly?" by Pat Rooney, which described what its hero would do if he suddenly came into a fortune. See also: life, of, rileythe life of Riley (or Reilly) a luxurious or carefree existence. informal Reilly or Riley is a common Irish surname. A popular song of the early 20th century entitled ‘My Name is Kelly’ included the lines ‘Faith and my name is Kelly Michael Kelly , But I'm living the life of Reilly just the same’. This may be the source of the expression but it is possible that the songwriter, H. Pease, was drawing on an already existing catchphrase. 1978 Daily Telegraph It is simply not true that we don't pay tax and are living the life of Riley. See also: life, of, riley the life of Riley Informal An easy life.See also: life, of, rileythe life of RileyA life of ease. Although linguistic history fails to reveal who the eponymous Mr. Reilly was, the phrase was traced to the mid-19th century's Irish immigration to the United States. The phrase was used in popular songs and on the stage, and was most recently used as the title of a very successful radio program and later television series starring William Bendix as Chester A. Riley, whose signature comment, “What a revoltin' development this is,” became a popular expression during the mid-20th century.See also: life, of, rileyLegalSeeLife |