Mollies

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A term for a type of fish known for its peaceful nature and colorful appearance; a name for a class of freshwater fish commonly kept in aquariums; also refers to a slang term for ecstasy, a psychoactive drug used recreationally
2. Referring to small, often vibrant fish that thrive in home tanks and are sociable; also denotes a variety of freshwater species popular among fish enthusiasts; in slang, it points to a stimulant that alters mood and perception
3. Identifying a group of ornamental fish favored in aquaristics due to their gentle demeanor; these are typically bred for their bright colors and social tendencies; at times, this term is associated with a popular illicit substance known for its euphoric effects

Etymology: The fish sense of "molly" comes from a genus name, not a nickname. Zoologists in the nineteenth century named the genus "Mollienesia", honouring a French naturalist, and the shortened English form picked up the familiar first name Molly, a pet form of Mary, through its similar sound. Aquarists then borrowed the everyday word, so the fish are named after a name that was itself never meant to describe them. The drug sense is a separate and far more recent development. It is probably shaped by "molecule", a nod to the chemical MDMA, though the link is a guess rather than a documented fact. A further, unrelated "molly" is a clipping of "Molotov", the Soviet statesman's name that gave the cocktail its nickname, but that has nothing to do with the fish. The plural form simply follows the regular rule for nouns ending in "y" after a consonant, changing the "y" to "ies" and adding the plural marker, so "mollies" is the plural of "molly" in each of these senses.