Fishwife: meaning, definitions and examples

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fishwife

 

[ ˈfɪʃwaɪf ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in a market

A fishwife is a woman who sells fish, typically in a market setting. She is known for her loud and boisterous manner of selling fish, often shouting to attract customers.

Synonyms

fish seller, fishmonger

Examples of usage

  • She was a fishwife at the local market, her voice echoing through the stalls.
  • The fishwife proudly displayed her fresh catch of the day.
Context #2 | Noun

historical

In historical contexts, a fishwife was also a derogatory term used to describe a woman who was loud, vulgar, and argumentative.

Synonyms

loud woman, vulgar woman

Examples of usage

  • The term 'fishwife' was often used to belittle outspoken women in the past.
  • He referred to her as a fishwife, implying she was crass and uncouth.

Translations

Translations of the word "fishwife" in other languages:

🇵🇹 peixeira

🇮🇳 मछली बेचने वाली औरत

🇩🇪 Marktfrau

🇮🇩 penjual ikan wanita

🇺🇦 торговка рибою

🇵🇱 rybiarka

🇯🇵 魚売りの女

🇫🇷 poissonnière

🇪🇸 vendedora de pescado

🇹🇷 balıkçı kadını

🇰🇷 생선 파는 여자

🇸🇦 بائعة السمك

🇨🇿 prodejkyně ryb

🇸🇰 predavačka rýb

🇨🇳 卖鱼的女人

🇸🇮 prodajalka rib

🇮🇸 fiskikona

🇰🇿 балық сатушы әйел

🇬🇪 თევზის გამყიდველი ქალი

🇦🇿 balıq satan qadın

🇲🇽 vendedora de pescado

Etymology

The term 'fishwife' originated in the 16th century in England, where it was used to describe women who sold fish in the markets. Over time, the term also took on a negative connotation, referring to women who were perceived as loud and argumentative. Despite its historical roots, the term is less commonly used today and is often viewed as outdated or offensive.

See also: fish, fishbowl, fishery, fishhook, fishily, fishing, fishmonger, fishy.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,382, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.