hard-shell clam

noun

hard-shell clam

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20

When anything is goin' wrong with him he's allus as close-mouthed as a hard-shell clam with the lockjaw.

The former is sold in the San Francisco markets as the "hard-shell clam."

When the oyster season closes in April, the hard-shell clam comes into vogue, the season lasting until September or October.

It cannot compare in flavor with Venus mercenaria, the "hard-shell clam" south of Cape Cod.

April 23, 2024inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

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