Makerel
/ˈmaːkərəl/noun
An obsolete Middle English spelling of mackerel, the sea fish.
Did you know?The medieval form makerel reflects Old French maquerel, a word that could mean both “mackerel” and “broker” or “pimp,” although the exact semantic connection remains uncertain.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic or Medieval Latin period
Uncertain
*makrōn or related form
“A proposed, uncertain source connected with the fish-name tradition; the ultimate origin is disputed.”
12th Century
Old French
maquerel
“Mackerel; also a broker or pimp in a separate related-looking sense.”
13th–14th Century
Middle English
makerel
“Mackerel, a sea fish; an early English spelling.”
15th–16th Century
English
makerel / makarell
“Variant spellings used for the fish.”
Modern English
English
mackerel
“The standardized modern spelling for the fish.”