Gudgeon
/ˈɡʌdʒən/noun
A small freshwater fish, or a person who is easily duped.
Did you know?The insult sense of *gudgeon* comes from the idea of a fish that bites too readily, and Shakespeare uses it this way in *The Merchant of Venice*.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
English
gojoun / gudgeon
“A small fish, especially one taken easily on a hook.”
Late Middle English
English
gudgeon
“A gullible person; someone easily deceived.”
16th Century
English
gudgeon
“A pin or pivot in machinery; later also a fish name in dialectal usage.”
Modern English
English
gudgeon
“A small freshwater fish, or a person easily duped.”