E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Pleased as Punch.
Greatly delighted. Our old friend Punch is always singing with self-satisfaction in all his naughty ways, and his evident “pleasure” is contagions to the beholders.
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“You could skip over to Europe whenever you liked; mamma would be pleased as Punch.”—R. Grant.
