what does the phrase life of riley mean
The meaning and origin of the expression: The life of Riley. The life of Riley. more like this... Meaning. An easy and pleasant life. Origin. The phrase originated in the Irish/American community of the USA, in the early part of the 20th century. The famous wild cow of Cromwell is no more. After living the life of Riley for over a year, successfully evading the pitchforks and the bullets of the farmers, whose fields she ravaged in all four seasons.