[Lexicog] happy-go-lucky

[Fritz Goerling]

Nick,

I doubt that there is a link between ".. go-lucky" and "geluk" (Glück). By
the way, "Glück" in German
can mean both "luck" and "happiness" according to context, whereas in
English you have two words
"luck" and "happiness".
A "lucky dog" is a "Glückspilz" (lucky mushroom).
In English you would say "someone is happily married (not luckily married)".
In German there is
only one word "glücklich (verheiratet)". There is no equivalent for "happy
single" in German
although "happy singles" exist.
Luck vs. bad luck is Glück vs. Pech (= pitch) in German.
Or there is the contrast of "Glück" and "Unglück"" like in the expression
"Glück im Unglück"
(lucky in a disaster).

Fritz


  >>I suspect it is not actually anything to do with to go although it would
be really good to know for sure...what ideas have you had or heard...?



  http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=lucky&searchmode=phrase says
rather cryptically that the phrase is “from 1672“. That's all it says about
it??

  Has it got anything to do with DE “geluk“ (Glück) perhaps, Fritz? Or maybe
it‘s a shortened form of something else, as Simon seems to hint.

  It might be worth asking the BBC – you know those radio programs they have
for learners on the World Service. They often come up with the goods. (I
sent them a quick email just now)

  Nick Miller







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