Why is a “shit-eating grin” called that?

scarabic@lemmy.world to No Stupid Questions@lemmy.world – 45 points –
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According to this source via wiktionary, it's '[p]ossibly from a contraction of "grinning like a ’possum eating shit."'

I figured it came from a similar expression like "happier than a pig in shit" implying the person is happy about something they really shouldn't be happy about.

Hm that kinda makes some sense. I have to wonder who ever saw a possum do that though. They aren’t much for being seen :)

If you lived in the country before TV, internet, gaming, or even electricity, you would probably have seen a lot more possums especially when you're hunting them for tomorrow's dinner.

Huh, I always assumed it was referring to dogs eating cat shit.