Haddock
/ˈhæd.ək/noun
A North Atlantic food fish related to the cod.
Did you know?Haddock is first recorded in medieval English, but its deeper origin is uncertain; unlike words with a clear occult meaning, this one is a linguistic mystery that likely traveled through Celtic or French waters.
Etymological Timeline
14th Century
English
haddok
“A type of edible fish, especially the haddock”
Middle English
English
haddok / hadok
“The same fish name in medieval English usage”
Origin uncertain
Possibly Celtic/French
—
“A borrowed or inherited fish-name of unclear source”
Modern English
English
haddock
“The North Atlantic food fish Melanogrammus aeglefinus”