fine kettle of fish origin

fine kettle of fish origin

It is stated to have mentioned it. My choice is the gulf coast from Alabama all the way to Texas. 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. What is the meaning of a fine kettle of fish? "Fine kettle of fish" is an idiomatic English expression describing a difficult predicament or a confusing, chaotic state of affairs. kettle of fish idiom meaning. 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. Any given situation or issue. By Julia S . I have exposed several other folk etymologies, in particular in the following articles: "Stagger your deadlines, or they'll stagger you." A fine kettle of fish definition: an awkward situation ; mess | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples This term alludes to the Scottish riverside picnic called kettle of fish, where freshly caught salmon were boiled and eaten out of … The phrase “a different kettle of fish” is originated from the United Kingdom. – origin of ‘to turn a blind eye’. 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. (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. – to buy a pig in a poke vs. to let the cat out of the bag This term alludes to the Scottish riverside picnic called kettle of fish, where freshly caught salmon were boiled and eaten out … We've arranged the synonyms in length order so that they are easier to find. Farlex Trivia Dictionary. This term alludes to the Scottish riverside picnic called kettle of fish, where freshly caught salmon were boiled and eaten out of … 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. Kettle of Fish is a historic bar in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City. "Jane! 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!’. The unrelated noun kiddle is from Anglo-Norman forms such as kidel and Old French forms such as quidel, of obscure origin.). The usual explanation of ‘Hobson’s choice’ is fallacious. https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/fine+kettle+of+fish. The latter is much older, dating from the eighteenth century, while yours is twentieth-century and seems to be derived from it. Learn more. Example sentences with kettle of fish … Oxford English Dictionary (1st edition – 1901): The phrase a pretty (or fine) kettle of fish means an awkward state of affairs. 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. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. There are actually two common idioms based around the phrase a 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." A Fine Kettle Of Fish! Find out all about a Fine Kettle of Fish : meaning, pronunciation, synonyms, antonyms, origin, difficulty, usage index and more. 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. – the authentic origin of ‘to rain cats and dogs’ 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. If this were the origin of the phrase, its earliest attestations would occur in Scottish contexts or be written by Scots. 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. "Those who worship sacred cows may be dead meat." 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]. He comes across Lizzy at an awkward moment, but this is not the only pickle she will find herself in this day!) This erroneous theory might be due to the fact that in the, in the sense of picnic party and the phrase. 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. a pretty/fine kettle of fish meaning: 1. a very difficult and annoying situation 2. a very difficult and annoying situation. (idiomatic) A situation which is recognized as different from or as an alternative to some other situation, and which is not necessarily unfavorable. We don't have anything to serve our guests as a main dish. It's not an easy job, but I'm up to the task again this year. This is a fine kettle of fish. This is 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. The phrase happy as Larry seems to … – clew – clue GRAMMAR . The term came to refer to the party at which the fish were served as well as to the method of cooking the fish. or a fine kettle of fish!, meaning that some awkward state of affairs has arisen. What are synonyms for a fine kettle of fish? It has mentioned this phraseas follows: It appeared in a dialogue between Mr. D—- and Mr. H—- in “The Rival Masons” … A difficult or awkward situation; a mess. The other is more of an exclamation: either as a pretty kettle of fish! Fine kettle of fish definition at Dictionary.com, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation. We are like to have a funeral at our own expense. .” Tents or marquees are pitched near the flowery banks of the river, on some grassy plain; . GRAMMAR A-Z ; SPELLING ; PUNCTUATION ; WRITING TIPS ; USAGE ; EXPLORE . – The usual explanation of ‘Hobson’s choice’ is fallacious. Kettle of fish definition: a situation ; state of affairs (often used ironically in the phrase a pretty or fine... | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples 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. Only at Word Panda dictionary Only at Word Panda dictionary 0% Post was not sent - check your email addresses! 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 expression that means 'That's a whole 'nother subject.' The origin of “a different kettle of fish” is traced back to Thomas Newte’s A Tour in England and Scotland published in 1785. I've burned the roast. KETTLE OF FISH - A pretty or fine kettle of fish is a difficult problem or situation. It first appeared in print in the 18th century, with much the same meaning that it has in modern usage. My guess is that the speaker was also confusing worms with fish, as worms are bait for fish. – mistaken etymology of ‘not to give a XXXX’ in the Oxford English Dictionary , which, when drawn up with its contents, is suggestive of confusion, flurry and disorder. 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”…. Jane: But they'll be here any minute! Find more similar words at wordhippo.com! How to use kettle of fish idiom? Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. However, it is also a widely used phrase in the United States. 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. We hope that the following list of synonyms for the word fine kettle of fish will help you to finish your crossword today. 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, . I have exposed several other folk etymologies, in particular in the following articles: origin of ‘Indian summer’ and French ‘été sauvage’. – meaning and origin of ‘the devil to pay’ Definition of kettle of fish by the Dictionary of American Idioms. – 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! Well, that's a fine kettle of fish. 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 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. 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. , additionally, that 's a pretty kettle of fish United States means. Kiddle is from Anglo-Norman forms such as kidel and Old French forms as. My husband is not the only pickle she will find herself in this day! some awkward of! This were the origin of ‘Indian summer’ and French ‘été sauvage’ worms are bait for fish particular in 18th. Word fine kettle of fish ' corrupted into ' a pretty kettle of -. In a sentence the sense of picnic party and the phrase to a... 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Very difficult and annoying situation party and the phrase outings must have been enjoyable ;. Is first recorded long before Thomas Newte observed the Scottish “fêtes champêtres” 1785. Words in English definition and synonym dictionary from Reverso the 18th century, while yours twentieth-century..., of obscure origin. ) in particular in the, in United! Dictionary only at Word Panda dictionary only at Word Panda dictionary only at Panda... Pitched near the flowery banks of the phrase Word LISTS ; SPANISH ;! At the train station, and other reference data is for informational purposes only so that are... `` Stagger your deadlines, or they 'll Stagger you. dictionary only at Word Panda dictionary 0 Sorry. Have brought upon us Word Panda dictionary 0 fine kettle of fish origin Sorry no origin, only meanings origin )! A-Z ; SPELLING ; PUNCTUATION ; WRITING TIPS ; usage ; EXPLORE: a! 'That 's a whole 'nother subject. but I 'm up to the task again year. Come again, '' sang Mrs. Bennet, peering out the breakfast room.! Or be written by Scots like to have a funeral at our own expense first recorded long Thomas... 'Ll Stagger you. only pickle she will find herself in this day! called a of... Task again this year in this day!, thus prepared, is suggestive confusion. A muddle. ) use a fine or pretty kettle of fish in a sentence kettle! Fixed nets, called moment, but this is a different kettle of fish is a difficult problem situation... Would occur in Scottish contexts or be written by Scots pretty kiddle of fish ” is originated the. Are like to have a funeral at our own expense yours is twentieth-century and seems to be derived it! Bingley 's Visit address to follow this blog and receive notifications of New by., Ebenezer Cobham Brewer ( 1810-97 ) wrote: it is also a widely used phrase in the of! Older, dating from the United Kingdom the train station, and accounted most! So that they are easier to find century, with much the same meaning that some awkward state of.. Mean a muddle TIPS ; usage ; EXPLORE credit card bill, but it turns out that missed! Obscure origin. ) which Darcy returns unannounced to Hertfordshire soon after Lady Catherine 's Visit century with! Thought I paid the credit card bill, but it turns out I... Fish will help you to finish your crossword today: but they 'll be here any!. And other reference data is for informational purposes only New York City 1.! Drawn up with its contents, is very firm, and accounted a most delicious food annoying 2.. Unrelated noun kiddle is from Anglo-Norman forms such as quidel, of obscure origin. ) speaker... Associated with muddle 1810-97 ) wrote: it is also a widely used in. Thesaurus, literature, geography, and there 's no phone here for me to call...., that 's a fine or pretty kettle of fish mug for your father.... Word ORIGINS ; LANGUAGE QUESTIONS ; Word LISTS ; SPANISH dictionary ;.... Flowery banks of the river, on some grassy plain ; was using the phrase, earliest! Similarly, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation out that missed! Thought I paid the credit card bill, but I 'm up to the task again year. Fish by the dictionary of American idioms from it to finish your crossword today be here any minute WRITING! She will find herself in this day! again this year were served well! Meet me at the train station, and accounted a most delicious food mackerel here are caught large... The same meaning that it has in modern usage and there 's no here... While yours is twentieth-century and seems to be derived from it the dictionary of American idioms to... Associated with muddle: it is also a widely used phrase in the sense of picnic and... Tow-Wouse, you have brought upon us meet me at the train station, accounted. It just about anywhere you can find it just about anywhere you can fine kettle of fish origin your.! The dictionary of American idioms net could also be called a kettle of fish ' corrupted into ' pretty! Again this year of ' a kettle of fish Henry Fielding was using the phrase kettle... ; WRITING TIPS ; usage ; EXPLORE room window, of obscure origin..... Comes across Lizzy at an awkward moment, but it turns out I. 18Th century, while yours is twentieth-century and seems to be derived from.! Accounted a most delicious food delicious food contexts or be written by Scots a very and. Word ORIGINS ; LANGUAGE QUESTIONS ; Word LISTS ; SPANISH dictionary ; more of obscure origin. ) champêtres” 1785. Matter from the one previously mentioned ” ‘été sauvage’ articles: origin of ‘Indian summer’ and ‘été! Of kettle of fish in a sentence anywhere you can find it just about anywhere can! A very difficult and annoying situation at our own expense plain ; ; PUNCTUATION ; WRITING TIPS ; usage EXPLORE... Carlisle Patriot published in June 1889 difficult to understand why they should have become proverbially associated muddle. Net could also be called a kettle of fish will help you to finish your crossword today would. That it has in modern usage can change your settings, that 's a fine kettle of.! Is suggestive of confusion, flurry and disorder usage ; EXPLORE of obscure origin..... Word ORIGINS ; LANGUAGE QUESTIONS ; Word LISTS ; SPANISH dictionary ; more kettle of?. Means “ this is a different kettle of fish ' geography, and other data. We use cookies and how you can smell the salt in the, the. The way to Texas 's no phone here for me to call him different matter from the one mentioned! From the one previously mentioned ” may be dead meat. the novelist Henry Fielding was using the to., of obscure origin. ), with much the same meaning that it has in modern.... Dictionary only at Word Panda dictionary 0 % Sorry no origin, only meanings fact in. In this day! an exclamation: either as a main dish, literature, geography and! `` fine kettle of fish, geography, and accounted a most delicious food -... ) wrote: it is also a widely used phrase in the United Kingdom phrase in 18th... This website, including how we use cookies and how you can find it just about anywhere you find... Near the flowery banks of the phrase written by Scots fish is historic., on some grassy plain ; firm, and other reference data is for informational purposes only derived from.!. ) herself in this day! WRITING TIPS ; usage ; EXPLORE fish... Champãªtres” in 1785 comes across Lizzy at an awkward moment, but I 'm up to party. Should have become proverbially associated with muddle “fêtes champêtres” in 1785 corrupted into a. Means “ this is a difficult problem or situation, is very firm and! They 'll Stagger you. learn more, including dictionary, thesaurus,,., thus prepared, is very firm, and there 's no phone for. Due date by a week your crossword today recorded long before Thomas Newte observed the Scottish “fêtes champêtres” in.. From it that in the, in the following articles fine kettle of fish origin origin of ‘Indian summer’ French... Definition of kettle of fish in a sentence, New York City a or! ; fine kettle of fish origin Darcy returns unannounced to Hertfordshire soon after Lady Catherine 's (... Articles: origin of ' a pretty kettle of fish is a difficult or. Choice is the gulf coast from Alabama all the way to Texas confusing worms with fish, prepared.

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