Welcome to Sunday Morn Musings. This is my weekly free fall – writing about whatever it is that occupies the mind on a Sunday Morn. The idea of a “no topic” posting is the stepchild to a blog I used to write: Four O’Clock Thursdays which is still up there if you want to check it out – more likely, I will repurpose and republish some of those posts here over time. On Sunday Morn Musings the topic may be about blogging but just as likely it may not.
Who was Riley and why do we want to live like him?
In yesterday’s post, What Does a Blog Income Life Look Like I alluded to living the life of Riley which means an easy and pleasant life. We use the term loosely as a life desired or envied.
It got me thinking.
How did the term take hold?
What was its origin?
And who was Riley anyway?
Well with a name like that he’s got to be Irish.
So this morning I did a little bit of research. There is no definitive answer. As with most words and phrases there is no one thing or incident that embedded the term into the English language but the rabbit trail is interesting.
It begins in 1890. A song about Mr. Reilly, or Riley as the spelling seems to be interchangeable, became popular. Reilly was a hotel keep. The words speak of wellbeing:
Well, if that’s Mr. Riley
They speak of so highly.
Why, faith, Mr Riley,
You’re looking quite well.
During WWI the Syracuse Herald published an article with excerpts from letters written by Private Walter J. Kennedy:
“This is surely one great life.” writes Kennedy. “We call it the life of Riley. We are having fine eats, are in a great detachment and the experience one gets is fine.”
But there is a much earlier reference to Reilly and money – a historical one and this one has deep Irish roots. It seems that in the 15th century the Reilly clan consolidated its hold on County Cavan. They began to mint their own coin which was accepted even in England. The coin came to be known as the Reilly and held considerable sway in value, thus a man who had Reillys was considered to be a monied or prosperous man.
Somehow easy life, Riley and money combined.
Interesting but not captivating.
How about throwing in swashbuckling, intrigue, a life of derring do, of being in her majesty`s service, having nerves of steel a license to kill and killer looks to boot? In short a spy and why not none other than James Bond.
How does James Bond factor with Riley?
Aha! This is far more captivating at least in my mind.
There was a real life spy, one Sidney Reilly. His life and exploits are credited with providing Ian Fleming with the model for the James Bond character that we have come to know and love so well.
Sidney Reilly`s life as a spy was well documented in the 1983 TV drama series “Reilly, Ace of Spies” which in turn was based on Robin Bruce Lockhart`s book of the same name published in 1967. The series, starring Sam Neill as the most famous English spy of all time has become a classic.
Reilly was a spy in his majesty King George V`s service. He had it all. The looks. The women. The adventure. The drama. The intrigue. He lived precariously balanced on the edge of life and death playing hard, working harder.
Doesn’t that rev up your imagination?
Perhaps we can inject a bit of Reilly when we think about living the life of Riley. Spice it up with a bit of spy theatrics. What would living the life of Riley be like if into the mix of easy life and money we threw in
Exotic.
Fine.
Adventure.
Thrilling
Experiential
Hmmm … notice “dangerous” and other life threatening adjectives have been left out … but hey, wouldn’t it be a lot more fun? Maybe we can put a whole new spin to the meaning of “Living the Life of Riley” … what do you think?
