Mackerel snappers

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Blue Sow - 14 May 2007 11:30 GMT

I encountered the term 'mackerel snappers' while watching TV last night. It was
used in a way that seemed to make it similar in meaning to 'god botherers'.

I can manage to see a link between 'mackerel' and the old fish symbol but
'snappers'? I am not sure what that would mean in this context.

Does anyone have any ideas about this? It is not mentioned in SOED so I have no
idea if this was an original usage.

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Blue Sow

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Richard Polhill - 14 May 2007 12:27 GMT

> I encountered the term 'mackerel snappers' while watching TV last
> night. It was used in a way that seemed to make it similar in meaning
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Does anyone have any ideas about this? It is not mentioned in SOED so I
> have no idea if this was an original usage.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mackerel_Snapper

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John of Aix - 14 May 2007 20:29 GMT

>> I encountered the term 'mackerel snappers' while watching TV last
>> night. It was used in a way that seemed to make it similar in
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mackerel_Snapper

Thanks for the link Richard, I'll go to bed less stupid this evening
even if I had never heard this expression until the OP gave it. Being an
ex-'mackerel-snapper' myself I appreciate it all the more. I always
found 'left-footer' silly.

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John Briggs - 14 May 2007 12:34 GMT

> I encountered the term 'mackerel snappers' while watching TV last
> night. It was used in a way that seemed to make it similar in
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Does anyone have any ideas about this? It is not mentioned in SOED
> so I have no idea if this was an original usage.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=mackerel+snapper

A Roman Catholic. Mildly pejorative or humorous. Refers to the former
Catholic custom of abstaining from meat on Fridays, and hence eating fish.

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John Briggs

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Blue Sow - 14 May 2007 13:00 GMT

>> I encountered the term 'mackerel snappers' while watching TV last
>> night. It was used in a way that seemed to make it similar in
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> A Roman Catholic. Mildly pejorative or humorous. Refers to the former
> Catholic custom of abstaining from meat on Fridays, and hence eating fish.

Many thanks.
Following up on your information, I have now found it in the full OED (I have
not got a copy).
It seems to be American English (rare) slang dating from 1960. Strange it
should turn up last night.

Thanks again.

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Blue Sow

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Paul Burke - 14 May 2007 15:19 GMT

> Refers to the former
> Catholic custom of abstaining from meat on Fridays, and hence eating fish.

Or, in the case of some within walking distance of Cheetham Hill,
pretending to be Jewish.

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Discussion Groups / British English / May 2007

Mackerel snappers