Dunfish

/ˈdʌnfɪʃ/ noun

Definition

A type of fish, possibly relating to a dun color or a specific fish found in Scottish waters.

Etymology

From 'dun' (a dull grayish-brown color, from Old English dunn) + 'fish'. This is a regional or archaic term, possibly referring to a fish species identified by its coloration.

Kelly Says

Old fishing communities named fish by their appearance or behavior, and many of these colorful regional names have disappeared as standardized scientific names took over—dunfish is a linguistic ghost from when every local area had its own fish vocabulary.

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