Petera, I stand corrected. I only went back to late 18th century English, but I now know differently.
1711, "an exclusive party of persons; a small set, especially one associating to arrogate power or privilege," from obsolete French clique, which meant originally (14c.) "a sharp noise," also "latch, bolt of a door," from Old French cliquer "click, clatter, crackle, clink,"
I am hanging my head in shame. I can longer claim to be a linguist.
PS, do you want to join our clique? We do make quite a lot of noise! 
Reducing contact because my heart just isn't in it.
Where would we be without humour?
Count Binface has a letter in today’s Times! 😂






