dollar-fish

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n.


a name often given formerly tothe John Dory (q.v.), from the mark on its side. See quotation, 1880. The name Dollar-fish is given on theAmerican coasts to a different fish.

1880. Guenther, `Study of Fishes,' p. 451:

«The fishermen of Roman Catholic countries hold this fish inspecial respect, as they recognize in a black round spot on itsside the mark left by the thumb of St. Peter, when he took thepiece of money from its mouth.»

1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `Fish of New South Wales,'p. 62:

«The dory has been long known, and when the currency of thecolony was in Mexican coin it was called a `dollar-fish.'»

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