Have you seen the phrase 'we few, we happy few' somewhere and would like to know more about its meaning and context? The phrase 'we few, we happy few' is a direct quote from a William Shakespeare play, and it makes an occasional appearance as a pop culture reference. This post unpacks the meaning, origin and correct use of the phrase.
Meaning
The saying 'we few, we happy few' is a less common English phrase that is taken as a direct quote from one of the most popular William Shakespeare plays.
The phrase in modern times can be used to imply that good luck has prevailed, or that something positive has taken place.
The phrase can be used as a humorous, often exagerrated statement. Sometimes the phrase can imply sarcasm, or that something has not gone well.
The phrase can also be used as a serious statement that implies a group of people have been victorious over an obstacle.
When someone says 'we few, we happy few' it is more common as an exclamation or statement than it would be as a response.
Use of the phrase implies that the rest of the conversation is familiar with the context in which it is being said.
Most uses of the phrase 'we few we happy few' does not require the rest of the line to be quoted from Henry V.
There are several correct ways to punctuate the phrase, including with commas or without.
Example Usage
“I can't believe that we won the football game, even though the odds were totally stacked against us. Oh, we few, we happy few.”
“I can't believe that all of us are here at the same time. What are the chances of that? We few, we happy few!”
“Condoms are half-price down at the Walmart today. Let's all go downtown so that we can party for cheaper. We few, we happy few!”
“We few, we happy few! I can't believe that we're the only kids in town who have access to a nuclear reactor.”
Origin
The origin of the saying 'we few, we happy few' can be found in Shakespeare's play Henry V.
The play was first published somewhere in the 1600s, and the phrase would fall into common use as a figurative English saying in the 1800s.
The later widespread popularity of Shakespeare's works would give rise to expressions entering popular culture, one of which is the phrase 'we few, we happy few'.
Use of the phrase would continue throughout the 21st century, given some added use by its inclusion in film and television adaptations of Henry V.
As a pop culture phrase, it has also been used as the title of a survival horror game released in 2016.
The website Urban Dictionary does not list a definition for the phrase, even though the website lists a definition for the term 'few' and 'happy' as individual terms.
Phrases Similar to We Few We Happy Few
- Lucky
Phrases Opposite to We Few We Happy Few
- N/a
What is the Correct Saying?
- We few, we happy few
- We few we happy few
Ways People May Say We Few We Happy Few Incorrectly
There are several ways in which someone can use the phrase 'we few we happy few' in the wrong way, or misunderstand the meaning of the saying where it appears.
The phrase 'we few we happy few' can be used without repeating the rest of the phrase.
It is used to imply victory over something, or luck over something.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase We Few We Happy Few
The correct way to use the phrase 'we few we happy few' is to use it to indicate victory over an obstacle, whether it is used as a serious phrase or a joking exclamation.
The phrase can be punctuated as 'we few, we happy few' or used without commas. Both render a valid use of the same phrase.