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Close as a Clam

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A clam is a bivalve mollusca, which burrows in sand or mud. It is about the size of a florin, and may be eaten raw or fried like an oyster. Clams are gathered only when the tide is out. When the tide is in they are safe from molestation, hence the saying “Happy as a clam at high tide” (Anglo-Saxon clam, mud verb clœm-ian, to glue German, klamm, close.)

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Cliquot (of Punch celebrity)
Cloacina
Cloak and Sword Plays
Clock
Clodhopper
Clog Almanac
Cloister
Clootie
Cloridano (in Orlando Furioso)
Clorinda (in Jerusalem Delivered)
Close as a Clam
Close Rolls
Close-time for Game
Closh (Mynherr)
Cloten
Cloth (The)
Clotharius
Clotho
Cloud, Clouds
Cloud
Cloud (St.)

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Clam
Happy as a Clam at High Tide