Dolphinfish

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A colorful marine fish from the Coryphaenidae family, commonly referred to as mahi-mahi, that is prized in sport fishing and enjoyed in various cuisines
2. Known for its bright hues and elongated shape, this fish, also called mahi-mahi, thrives in warm waters and is sought after by anglers
3. A vibrant fish belonging to the Coryphaenidae family, celebrated for its striking colors and value in recreational fishing and culinary dishes

Etymology: The name is a plain compound: "dolphin" joined to "fish." The confusion it creates is the interesting part. The marine mammal we call a dolphin is a cetacean, not a fish, yet this fish takes the same name, so the word's two halves point to two unrelated animals that happen to share a look in the water. The "dolphin" in "dolphinfish" is the old English name for the mammal, which also has nothing to do with the fish's own unrelated family, Coryphaenidae. The fish is sometimes called mahi-mahi, a Hawaiian name, and the compound is mainly the name used in American and English-language fishing contexts. Anglers chose the name because the fish's bright, shifting colours and speed in open water resemble the mammal's, so the comparison was descriptive rather than scientific.

Synonyms: mahi-mahi, dorado