# open C, closed C ??

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-c-closed-c/265738>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [September 23, 2004, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-c-closed-c/265738 "2004-09-23T19:42:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\
**Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-c-closed-c/265738/1 "2004-09-23T19:42:54Z")

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In Cecil’s [column](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_062.html) on chocolate squiggles, what exactly is an “open C” and a “closed C”. I would have thought every C was open – otherwise it’d be more like a backwards D.

I’d hate to think I was getting chocolate cream and end up with cherry cordial.

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**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\
**Post date:** [September 24, 2004, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-c-closed-c/265738/2 "2004-09-24T18:44:22Z")

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I was wondering exactly the same thing.

After all, I’d hate to be expecting a cherry cordial and end up with a chocolate cream.

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**Author:** ![Faldage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Faldage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faldage)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2004, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-c-closed-c/265738/3 "2004-09-26T14:46:22Z")

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> [@Quercus](#):
>
> I was wondering exactly the same thing.
> 
> After all, I’d hate to be expecting a cherry cordial and end up with a chocolate cream.

This [numismatic site](http://digilander.libero.it/adamaney/englishversion/eillustrazioni500lire.htm) shows examples of open and closed Cs. Row 7, about halfway down.

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**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2004, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-c-closed-c/265738/4 "2004-09-26T15:40:31Z")

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OK, so an open C is what I probably would have called a “broken” C, i.e. a C with a gap in it. Right?

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**Author:** ![Faldage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Faldage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faldage)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2004, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-c-closed-c/265738/5 "2004-09-26T19:02:01Z")

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> [@tim314](#):
>
> OK, so an open C is what I probably would have called a “broken” C, i.e. a C with a gap in it. Right?

I guess so. I was wondering, too, so I googled it. That was the best answer I came up with in the first twenty hits.