I figured it came from a similar expression like “happier than a pig in shit” implying the person is happy about something they really shouldn’t be happy about.
If you lived in the country before TV, internet, gaming, or even electricity, you would probably have seen a lot more possums especially when you’re hunting them for tomorrow’s dinner.
According to this source via wiktionary, it’s ‘[p]ossibly from a contraction of “grinning like a ’possum eating shit.”’
I figured it came from a similar expression like “happier than a pig in shit” implying the person is happy about something they really shouldn’t be happy about.
Huh, I always assumed it was referring to dogs eating cat shit.
Hm that kinda makes some sense. I have to wonder who ever saw a possum do that though. They aren’t much for being seen :)
If you lived in the country before TV, internet, gaming, or even electricity, you would probably have seen a lot more possums especially when you’re hunting them for tomorrow’s dinner.