Pure as the driven snow

[lisaj]

Where does this come from. What is 'driven' snow precisely?

[brawburd]

wind driven - snow which a breeze or wind packs together as it falls. Snow before it is disturbed by any animal, person, further wind. The pure part comes form Shakespeare who first used it as an analogy for something which is untouched, virginal - pure. Think of how clean snow is when it first falls in a heavy flurry. Hope this helps!

[Quizmonster]

I think I prefer the American actress Tallulah Bankhead's claim that she was: "As pure as driven slush"!