sandboy

Perhaps we should ignore Iain and file the word chav with the likes of sandboy, gyp, toerag as common words of possibly rather offensive origins.

Dale's Academy of Political Correction: Ban Word 'Toff' 2008

They were so bitter about Britain and all her works that I gathered they were getting pretty panicky, and that made me as jolly as a sandboy.

Greenmantle 2005

Forty — he supposed — with three children and fourteen hundred things to attend to every day; shingled, and cheerful as a sandboy.

Swan Song 2004

He was in precisely the same position, only worse, because married; and yet she felt as blithe as a ‘sandboy.’

Maid in Waiting 2004

‘Of course I am; — as jolly as a sandboy,’ he said.

The Last Chronicle of Barset 2004

I was happy as a sandboy — beautiful wife, beautiful children, house, secure job, good social life — then, wham, the wife hits me between the eyes with the muscled actor from next door who's been shafting her for months.

Disordered Minds Walters, Minette 2003

A couple of kids in a few years and she'll be happy as a sandboy.

two women Cole, Martina 1999

"Well, and Vera said, 'Here's Luce lying tucked up as jolly as a sandboy, why shouldn't we be jolly too?'"

A Sheaf of Corn Mary E. Mann

He is jolly as a sandboy, he is happier than a king,

Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 152, April 4, 1917 Various

But he must have thought a lot in the night time, for in the morning he had got himself in hand and was as cheerful as a sandboy.

Mr. Standfast John Buchan 1907