Seems like we accosted him on this cleave/cleave thang and he recanted. At least in private

Why was that Faldage? Is it because, when used to mean 'adhering to or sticking to', the usage is most commonly followed by the prep 'to' as in 'cleave to' and almost never, simply, cleave. Whilst the opposing meaning of 'breaking apart' is almost always, stand alone 'cleave'.