Etymology
Advertisement

clambake (n.)

also clam-bake, 1835, "picnic feast consisting chiefly of a mass of clams baked on heated stones," American English, from clam (n.) + bake (n.). By 1937 in jazz slang transferred to "an enjoyable time generally," especially "jam session."

Entries linking to clambake

clam (n.)

bivalve mollusk, c. 1500 (in clam-shell), originally Scottish, apparently a particular use of Middle English clam "pincers, vice, clamp" (late 14c.), from Old English clamm "bond, fetter, grip, grasp," from Proto-Germanic *klam- "to press or squeeze together" (source also of Old High German klamma "cramp, fetter, constriction," German Klamm "a constriction"), possibly from a PIE *glem- or *glom- "contain, embrace" (see glebe).

If this is right then the original reference is to the shell. Clam-chowder attested from 1822. To be happy as a clam is from 1833, but the earliest uses do not elaborate on the notion behind it, unless it be self-containment.

bake (n.)
1560s, "process of baking," from bake (v.). As "social gathering at which baked food is served," 1846, American English.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Definitions of clambake

clambake (n.)
a cookout at the seashore where clams and fish and other foods are cooked--usually on heated stones covered with seaweed;
From wordnet.princeton.edu

Dictionary entries near clambake

clair-de-lune

Claire

clairvoyance

clairvoyant

clam

clambake

clamber

clam-digger

clamjamphry

clammy

clamor

© 2001-2022 Douglas Harper