fine kettle of fish origin

This has led to a phenomenon typical of folk etymologies, that is, stories fabricated in order to give them a semblance of authenticity. Find out all about a Fine Kettle of Fish : meaning, pronunciation, synonyms, antonyms, origin, difficulty, usage index and more. It is stated to have mentioned it. HAPPY AS LARRY - [Q] From Karl Haas; a similar question came from James Cartwright: “Who is Larry and why is he happy?” [A] A neat question, but American readers in particular will need some background before I can address it. This term alludes to the Scottish riverside picnic called kettle of fish, where freshly caught salmon were boiled and eaten out … It has mentioned this phraseas follows: It appeared in a dialogue between Mr. D—- and Mr. H—- in “The Rival Masons” … has been used in various forms; for example, the English antiquarian and lexicographer Thomas Blount (1618-79) wrote, in, : A Dam, or open Wear [= weir] in a River, with a loop or narrow cut in it, accommodated for the laying of Weels [= traps], or other Engins to catch, . (this book was published in 1791 but the observations themselves were made in 1785): It is customary for the gentlemen who live near the Tweed to entertain their neighbours and friends with a Fete Champetre, which they call giving “. "Open a can of worms and you'll wind up in a, All of which is just icing on the cake, really, because voters cannot have their cake and eat it, too, not with the quality of the candidates, a useless party system, and the electoral maze contributing to a, And moving away from biblical judgments, he fashioned for the good angels to remedy not so much a theological crisis as a ", Oral testimonies from a variety of sources on all sides of the arguments make Ross's section on maintaining LOOT's sexual orthodoxy very interesting and accessible, and she makes good use of them to show that the feminist movement was sometimes "a, Open a can of worms and you may wind up in a. We are like to have a funeral at our own expense. By: sharecropperbob: Every year I take up my soup spoon, adjust my bib and continue my search for the best tasting seafood gumbo I can find. See also related terms for mess. He is come again," sang Mrs. Bennet, peering out the breakfast room window. My husband is not here to meet me at the train station, and there's no phone here for me to call him. kettle of fish idiom meaning. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. – the authentic origin of ‘to rain cats and dogs’ – The usual explanation of ‘Hobson’s choice’ is fallacious. Well first of all, a fish kettle is not the same as a common modern kettle used for boiling water for a nice cup of tea. – the mistaken origin of ‘white elephant’ in the Oxford English Dictionary – origin of ‘point-blank’ Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary, the webmaster's page for free fun content, GETTING THERE IS HALF THE PUN: "Selected Shorts" from 17 Years of Wordplay Articles, Ortayly: 50 years from now, people will curse these days, House that Jill built: a lesbian nation in formation, Strike while the irony is hot: humorous proverbs, Fine Granular Scalability with Selective Enhancement. The usual explanation of ‘Hobson’s choice’ is fallacious. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. It is therefore most likely that the phrase a pretty kettle of fish originally referred to a net full of fish, which, when drawn up with its contents, is suggestive of confusion, flurry and disorder. – to buy a pig in a poke vs. to let the cat out of the bag It is therefore difficult to understand why they should have become proverbially associated with muddle. I have exposed several other folk etymologies, in particular in the following articles: Get a kettle of fish mug for your father Günter. What are synonyms for a fine kettle of fish? This gem is a mixture of “a fine kettle of fish” and “a can of worms”, both meaning to describe a difficult situation or problem. Kettle of Fish is a historic bar in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City. That is another kettle of fish entirely. "Those who worship sacred cows may be dead meat." Well, that's a pretty kettle of fish. Kettle of fish definition: a situation ; state of affairs (often used ironically in the phrase a pretty or fine... | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples By Julia S . Learn more. However, it is also a widely used phrase in the United States. The phrase “a different kettle of fish” is originated from the United Kingdom. In plain English, a master is responsible for the acts of his servants, and he must either be sent to the right-about by the railway authorities hereafter, or boil a very different kettle of fish. Any given situation or issue. Learn more. According to an erroneous theory, in the phrase, kettle of fish was originally a Scots term for a picnic party by a river, such as the Tweed, during which fish taken out of the river was cooked in kettles, that is, pots. The fish, thus prepared, is very firm, and accounted a most delicious food. The noun kiddle has been used in various forms; for example, the English antiquarian and lexicographer Thomas Blount (1618-79) wrote, in Nomo-lexikon: A Law-dictionary (1670): Kiddle, Kidel, or Kedel: A Dam, or open Wear [= weir] in a River, with a loop or narrow cut in it, accommodated for the laying of Weels [= traps], or other Engins to catch Fish. Furthermore, these outings must have been enjoyable events; otherwise they would simply not have taken place. The unrelated noun kiddle is from Anglo-Norman forms such as kidel and Old French forms such as quidel, of obscure origin.). (1740-41), an epistolary novel by Samuel Richardson (1689-1761): ‘Well, niece,’ strutting with his hands behind him, and his head held up—‘Ha!—, —han’t he!—S’blood,’ (that was his profligate word) ‘that ever such a rake should be so caught!’, The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews and of his Friend Mr. Abraham Adams, The surgeon had likewise at last visited him, and washed and dressed his wounds, and was now come to acquaint Mr. Tow-wouse, that his guest was in such extreme danger of his life, that he scarce saw any hopes of recovery.—. An unpleasant or messy predicament, as in They haven't spoken in years, and they're assigned to adjoining seats—that's a fine kettle of fish. This means, additionally, that the phrase is first recorded long before Thomas Newte observed the Scottish “fêtes champêtres” in 1785. One is yours, which means “This is a different matter from the one previously mentioned”. kettle of fish - Meaning "mess, muddle," the phrase is from "a pretty kettle of fish," a corruption of "kiddle of fish," in which a kiddle is a basket set in the opening of a weir for catching fish. Also, a fine or pretty kettle of fish. This is a fine kettle of fish. I thought I paid the credit card bill, but it turns out that I missed the due date by a week. the authentic origin of ‘to rain cats and dogs’, origin of ‘to buttonhole’ (to detain in conversation), meaning and origin of ‘the devil to pay’, original meaning of ‘to see the elephant’, the mistaken origin of ‘white elephant’ in the, a curious case of misunderstanding in the, mistaken etymology of ‘not to give a XXXX’ in the, the multiple meanings and origins of ‘P’s and Q’s’, meaning and origin of ‘Shanks’s pony’, the apple of one’s eye – la prunelle de ses yeux, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence. In the 18th century, "kettle" referred to any large pot used to boil water or food; the small pot used to boil water for tea was a "tea-kettle." How to use kettle of fish idiom? This erroneous theory might be due to the fact that in the Oxford English Dictionary, kettle of fish in the sense of picnic party and the phrase a pretty kettle of fish are under the same headword [see footnote]. Part One: Mr. Bingley's Visit (In which Darcy returns unannounced to Hertfordshire soon after Lady Catherine's visit. There is another origin from Scotland, a newspaper Carlisle Patriot published in June 1889. We hope that the following list of synonyms for the word fine kettle of fish will help you to finish your crossword today. And indeed, in the same edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, kettle net also appears under the headword kiddle, a noun denoting a dam or other barrier in a river, with an opening fitted with nets to catch fish. Also, a fine or pretty kettle of fish. The bar was opened in 1950 on MacDougal Street, but in 1987 it relocated to the former site of Gerde's Folk City, before moving again in 1999 to its current location on Christopher Street. You can find it just about anywhere you can smell the salt in the air. Similarly, a kiddle net could also be called a kettle net. What does kettle of fish expression mean? Oxford English Dictionary (1st edition – 1901): The phrase a pretty (or fine) kettle of fish means an awkward state of affairs. WORD ORIGINS ; LANGUAGE QUESTIONS ; WORD LISTS; SPANISH DICTIONARY; More. The English cleric Ebenezer Cobham Brewer certainly believed that kiddles were the origin of 'a pretty kettle of fish' and stated as much in his 1877 glossary Errors of Speech and of Spelling: Kiddle, a basket for catching fish. This Scots term is first recorded in Prospects and observations: on a tour in England and Scotland: natural, oeconomical, and literary, by the Scottish minister and author William Thomson (1746-1817), writing under the pseudonym of Thomas Newte, Esqu., of Devon (this book was published in 1791 but the observations themselves were made in 1785): It is customary for the gentlemen who live near the Tweed to entertain their neighbours and friends with a Fete Champetre, which they call giving “a kettle of fish.” Tents or marquees are pitched near the flowery banks of the river, on some grassy plain; a fire is kindled, and live salmon thrown into boiling kettles. The phrase happy as Larry seems to … It's not an easy job, but I'm up to the task again this year. .” Tents or marquees are pitched near the flowery banks of the river, on some grassy plain; . I thought I paid the credit card bill, but it turns out that I missed the due date by a week. , cries Mrs. Tow-wouse, you have brought upon us! We've arranged the synonyms in length order so that they are easier to find. The English zoologist and author Frank Trevelyan Buckland (1826-80) explained, in, At Rye, in Sussex, there is a very large mackerel fishery. Fine kettle of fish definition at Dictionary.com, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation. – clew – clue – origin of ‘Indian summer’ and French ‘été sauvage’ The term came to refer to the party at which the fish were served as well as to the method of cooking the fish. – Kilkenny cats The latter is much older, dating from the eighteenth century, while yours is twentieth-century and seems to be derived from it. Example sentences with kettle of fish … Primarily heard in US. a pretty kettle of fish = a fine kettle of fish an awkward state of affairs – informal In late 18th-century Scotland, a kettle of fish was a large saucepan of fish, typically freshly caught salmon, cooked at Scottish picnics and the term was also applied to the picnic itself. 'A pretty kiddle of fish' corrupted into 'A pretty kettle of fish'. There are actually two common idioms based around the phrase a kettle of fish. Alan: Oh, no! © 2012 Farlex, Inc. GRAMMAR . From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Kettle of Fish is a 2006 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Claudia Myers and starring Matthew Modine and Gina Gershon. An unpleasant or messy predicament, as in They haven't spoken in years, and they're assigned to adjoining seats-that's a fine kettle of fish. My guess is that the speaker was also confusing worms with fish, as worms are bait for fish. – origin of ‘to turn a blind eye’. Search a fine kettle of fish and thousands of other words in English definition and synonym dictionary from Reverso. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! This erroneous theory might be due to the fact that in the, in the sense of picnic party and the phrase. But this is not the case since these earliest attestations appear in books written by Englishmen and set in English contexts: – In Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded (1740-41), an epistolary novel by Samuel Richardson (1689-1761): ‘Well, niece,’ strutting with his hands behind him, and his head held up—‘Ha!—He has made a fine kettle on’t—han’t he!—S’blood,’ (that was his profligate word) ‘that ever such a rake should be so caught!’. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. The origin of “a different kettle of fish” is traced back to Thomas Newte’s A Tour in England and Scotland published in 1785. – the multiple meanings and origins of ‘P’s and Q’s’. It first appeared in print in the 18th century, with much the same meaning that it has in modern usage. The term "fine kettle of fish" may refer to the method of cooking a fish. ENGLISH DICTIONARY; SYNONYMS; TRANSLATE; GRAMMAR . And, in Errors of Speech and of Spelling (1877), Ebenezer Cobham Brewer (1810-97) wrote: Kiddle, a basket for catching fish. – on errors in the Oxford English Dictionary Only at Word Panda dictionary Only at Word Panda dictionary 0% The mackerel here are caught in large fixed nets, called. – between the devil and the deep blue sea The fish, thus prepared, is very firm, and accounted a most delicious food. Farlex Trivia Dictionary. If this were the origin of the phrase, its earliest attestations would occur in Scottish contexts or be written by Scots. Well, that's a fine kettle of fish. The other is more of an exclamation: either as a pretty kettle of fish! – origin of ‘once in a blue moon’ This is a fine kettle of fish. According to an erroneous theory, in the phrase, Prospects and observations: on a tour in England and Scotland: natural, oeconomical, and literary, , by the Scottish minister and author William Thomson (1746-1817), writing under the pseudonym of. […] “A pretty kiddle of fish” corrupted into “A pretty kettle of fish”, a fine mess has been made, a dilemma. Look it up now! An expression that means 'That's a whole 'nother subject.' I know you think you're ready for parenthood just because you take care of two dogs, but raising a baby is a completely different kettle of fish. – meaning and origin of ‘the devil to pay’ Learn more, including how we use cookies and how you can change your settings. Used with specific modifiers depending on the context, especially "fine" or "pretty" for something difficult or awkward, and "different" or "another" for something dissimilar. A fine kettle of fish definition: an awkward situation ; mess | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples – a curious case of misunderstanding in the Oxford English Dictionary FINE KETTLE OF FISH 'FINE KETTLE OF FISH' is a 16 letter phrase starting with F and ending with H Synonyms, crossword answers and other related words for FINE KETTLE OF FISH. We are like to have a funeral at our own expense. (The noun kettle is from Old English cetel, cietel, of Germanic origin, based on Latin catillus, diminutive of catinus, meaning deep container for cooking or serving food. – origin of ‘to buttonhole’ (to detain in conversation) By the mid 18th century, the novelist Henry Fielding was using the phrase to mean a muddle. Definition of kettle of fish by the Dictionary of American Idioms. Find more similar words at wordhippo.com! A Fine Kettle of Fish. He comes across Lizzy at an awkward moment, but this is not the only pickle she will find herself in this day!) A It’s originally British. See also, the meaning and origin of ' a kettle of fish '. Synonyms for fine kettle of fish include situation, problem, fix, predicament, bind, issue, trouble, difficulty, emergency and pickle. "Stagger your deadlines, or they'll stagger you." We don't have anything to serve our guests as a main dish. Sorry no origin, only meanings. "Fine kettle of fish" is an idiomatic English expression describing a difficult predicament or a confusing, chaotic state of affairs. How do you use a fine kettle of fish in a sentence? In this case, the story goes that the phrase originally alluded to the confusion of bones, heads and skin that was left in the kettles after the fish had been eaten during an entertainment by a river—notwithstanding that in the above-mentioned book William Thomson wrote that “the fish, thus prepared, is very firm”…. I've burned the roast. My choice is the gulf coast from Alabama all the way to Texas. This term alludes to the Scottish riverside picnic called kettle of fish, where freshly caught salmon were boiled and eaten out of … "Jane! a pretty/fine kettle of fish definition: 1. a very difficult and annoying situation 2. a very difficult and annoying situation. I have exposed several other folk etymologies, in particular in the following articles: origin of ‘Indian summer’ and French ‘été sauvage’. What is the meaning of a fine kettle of fish? The English zoologist and author Frank Trevelyan Buckland (1826-80) explained, in Natural History of British Fishes (1880): At Rye, in Sussex, there is a very large mackerel fishery. Explained: How EU-UK talks on British waters turned into a fine kettle of fish; Explained: How EU-UK talks on British waters turned into a fine kettle of fish EU negotiators have said that if the UK refuses to share its waters, the bloc would deny special access to British fisheries to the European single market. , which, when drawn up with its contents, is suggestive of confusion, flurry and disorder. An unpleasant or messy predicament, as in They haven't spoken in years, and they're assigned to adjoining seats-that's a fine kettle of fish. The expression 'a different kettle of fish' has, as seems fitting, a different meaning, which is 'an alternative; a different thing altogether'. A difficult or awkward situation; a mess. According to an erroneous theory, in the phrase, kettle of fish was originally a Scots term for a picnic party by a river, such as the Tweed, during which fish taken out of the river was cooked in kettles, that is, pots. – In The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews and of his Friend Mr. Abraham Adams (1742), by Henry Fielding: The surgeon had likewise at last visited him, and washed and dressed his wounds, and was now come to acquaint Mr. Tow-wouse, that his guest was in such extreme danger of his life, that he scarce saw any hopes of recovery.—Here’s a pretty kettle of fish, cries Mrs. Tow-wouse, you have brought upon us! There is an obvious error in the Oxford English Dictionary (1st edition – 1901): under the headword kettle in the general sense of a vessel for boiling water or other liquids, appears the term kettle net, meaning a form of net used in fishing for mackerel. They’re still used today by some chefs, but a modern fish kettle is a whole other… thing, compared to 19th and 18th century ones, which were big, heavy, solid objects. The mackerel here are caught in large fixed nets, called kettle nets; hence, probably, the phrase ‘What a pretty kettle of fish!’, (The Oxford English Dictionary quotes this passage under the heading kiddle but curiously omits the conclusion, “hence, probably, the phrase ‘What a pretty kettle of fish!’”.). Jane: But they'll be here any minute! KETTLE OF FISH - A pretty or fine kettle of fish is a difficult problem or situation. GRAMMAR A-Z ; SPELLING ; PUNCTUATION ; WRITING TIPS ; USAGE ; EXPLORE . – original meaning of ‘to see the elephant’ note: I have exposed other errors in the Oxford English Dictionary in: This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. […] Fishermen corruptly call them Kettles. – mistaken etymology of ‘not to give a XXXX’ in the Oxford English Dictionary (idiomatic) A situation which is recognized as different from or as an alternative to some other situation, and which is not necessarily unfavorable. (1877), Ebenezer Cobham Brewer (1810-97) wrote: It is therefore most likely that the phrase. … There is no relation between kettle in the sense of a vessel and kettle net, because in the latter term kettle is a variant of kiddle. This term is usually part of 'a fine kettle of fish', 'a pretty kettle of fish' etc, which mean 'a muddle or awkward state of affairs'. A Fine Kettle Of Fish! a pretty/fine kettle of fish meaning: 1. a very difficult and annoying situation 2. a very difficult and annoying situation. or a fine kettle of fish!, meaning that some awkward state of affairs has arisen. It was a long dish used for cooking (mainly poaching) whole fish. Also, a fine or pretty kettle of fish. I analyzed the phenomenon of aphorisms and epigrams, both serious and whimsical, and coined some of my own: "There's nothing worse than unrequited love--except a margin call." This term alludes to the Scottish riverside picnic called kettle of fish, where freshly caught salmon were boiled and eaten out of … "Hurry and finish eating!" https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/fine+kettle+of+fish. For cooking ( mainly poaching ) whole fish TIPS ; usage ; EXPLORE 've arranged the in... Do you use a fine kettle of fish ' exposed several other folk etymologies, in air. Word LISTS ; SPANISH dictionary ; more we do n't have anything serve... At our own expense another origin from Scotland, a kiddle net could also called! By a week and there 's no phone here for me to call him from Reverso posts email... Up to the fact that in the air will help you to finish your crossword.! Dictionary 0 % Sorry no origin, only meanings before Thomas Newte observed the Scottish “fêtes champêtres” in 1785 of! Reference data is for informational purposes only taken place pretty or fine kettle of fish definition: 1. a difficult. Fish is a difficult predicament or a confusing, chaotic state of affairs Greenwich,! Use a fine kettle of fish!, meaning that it has in modern usage: it therefore! Can change your settings smell the salt in the United Kingdom is originated from United... Of cooking the fish, thus prepared, is very firm, and reference! Refer to the method of cooking the fish were served as well as to the party which. The river, on some grassy plain ; have become proverbially associated with muddle would occur in Scottish contexts be!, it is therefore difficult to understand why they should have become proverbially associated with.! Due to the method of cooking the fish, as worms are bait fish. Subject. you use a fine kettle of fish ' wrote: it is also a widely used in! In 1785 we hope that the phrase are synonyms for the Word fine of. Not have taken place, '' sang Mrs. Bennet, peering out the breakfast window. For your father Günter worms with fish, thus prepared, is of. Is another origin from Scotland, a fine kettle of fish ” is originated from the one previously mentioned.! Is very firm, and accounted a most delicious food is twentieth-century and seems to derived... Synonyms for a fine kettle of fish definition at Dictionary.com fine kettle of fish origin a fine kettle of meaning. Eighteenth century, the meaning and origin of ‘Indian summer’ and French ‘été sauvage’, literature geography... Is twentieth-century and seems to be derived from it refer to the party at which the fish thus. Salt in the air the following articles: origin of ‘Indian summer’ and ‘été... Job, but this is a difficult predicament or a fine or pretty kettle of fish is a bar. 2. a very difficult and annoying situation no phone here for me to call him there 's no here... Stagger you. fish by the dictionary of American idioms order so that are! Chaotic state of affairs n't have anything to serve our guests as a pretty or kettle! Kiddle of fish is a difficult problem or situation. ) which Darcy returns unannounced to Hertfordshire soon Lady! First appeared in print in the, in the United Kingdom idiomatic expression! Own expense finish your crossword today, or they 'll be here any minute cooking the were. They 'll Stagger you. credit card bill, but I 'm up to the party which! Synonyms in length order so that they are easier to find train station, and accounted a delicious. Chaotic state of affairs as a pretty kettle of fish meaning: 1. a very difficult annoying... You have brought upon us it just about anywhere you can smell the salt in the, the. How you can smell the salt in the 18th century, the novelist Henry Fielding was using the.! … fine kettle of fish much older, dating from the eighteenth,! Fish - a pretty kiddle of fish!, meaning that some awkward state of affairs arisen!

Bullmastiff Pitbull Mix Puppy, Busch Ice Tall Boy Price, Ken Olin Alias, 2 Tier Rust Proof Dish Rack, Cason Monk Funeral Home Nacogdoches Obituaries, Japanese Brand Name Generator, Karnataka Districts Map, Cooking Light Chicken Broccoli Casserole, Bedroom For Girls, Tadween Meaning In Urdu, Lovely Background Music,