What is a Fishwife?

Before you read about fishwives, we want you to know what we mean by the term. It would be misleading and perhaps very dangerous not to do so, because there are several alternative definitions found in various dictionaries. Some are not applicable, and some are not nice -- and could get us into deep trouble.

For example, Wikipedia defines a fishwife thusly:

"A fishwife or fish fag is a woman who sells fish. Such women were notoriously loud and foul-mouthed as in the proverb, To swear like a fishwife."

This definition and description does not fit our intended usage of the word.

Wictionary adds a bit more "flavor" to the definition:

"A woman who sells or works with fish; A vulgar, abusive or nagging woman with a loud, unpleasant voice; Term of abuse, usually directed at women, implying lack of personal hygiene."

Let us be perfectly clear! We are not talking about women who lack personal hygene. Nor are we talking about women who are foul-mouthed; well, not unless justifiably mad at their fish-addicted husbands anyway.

What we mean by the term fishwife is simply this:

"The long-suffering wife of a fish-addicted husband; the wife of a man who eats, breathes, sleeps thinking about and pursuing fish."

Our definition has the tone of sympathy; unless the wife is similarly addicted to fishing; which, of course, would completely negate the sympathy and immediately engender a tone of competition into the definition.