DCHP-3

Boston bluefish

DCHP-2 (Nov 2012)
n. — Fauna, Food

a commercially important saltwater fish that is found in northern seas, particularly the North Atlantic Ocean.

Type: 5. Frequency — The term is almost exclusively used in Canada (see Chart 1), which represents a late 20th-century development. As the 1917 quotation shows, at that time Boston bluefish appears not to have been harvested in Canada, a fact that changed in the late 1960s (see the quotations). The term appears to have originated as a nickname for a particular type of cod, specifically pollock. The species of fish is found in eastern North America, from New England to Nova Scotia, but can be found as far as Labrador and Greenland. According to Ross (1991: 158), Boston bluefish "reflects this species' appearance and fighting ability, not its culinary uses". Also used in the Northeastern US.
See also COD-2, s.v. "Boston bluefish", which is marked "Cdn", and DARE, s.v. "Boston bluefish" (n.), with New England quotations going back to 1946.

Quotations

1917
There are scores of varieties of available fish in this market regarding which the general public knows little; hake, pollock, or Boston bluefish, grayfish, cusk and squid are eaten extensively abroad and enjoyed, but are only beginning to find sale here.
1968
[HEADLINE] BOSTON BLUEFISH FILLETS 1-lb. pkgs. 3 FOR $1
1974
The recent success of Boston bluefish, previously unharvested in mass consumption, was a signal to the industry to offer new products in new forms, Mr. Eusanio said.
1986
Those estimates are sizable when compared with such fish as sole, haddock, cod, ocean perch, pollock (Boston bluefish), shrimp and scallops, which contain an average of about one gram of fat per serving.
1999
Pollock: Also called Boston bluefish. Although this is the most common ingredient in surimi (the great imitator of shellfish), it's also good smoked, steamed or roasted whole.
2004
Fish pakoras, moist and tender morsels of Boston bluefish wrapped in spiced batter, are excellent.
2012
The selection included pieces of the familiar red chicken tikka, an unfamiliar food called reshmi tikka (chicken breast marinated in cream and mildly spiced), chicken seekh kebab (ground and sausage shaped), and fish tikka (using Boston bluefish).

References

  • COD-2
  • DARE
  • Ross (1991)

Images

Image 1: Pollock. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Photo: G. Jansoone

Image 1: Pollock. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Photo: G. Jansoone

Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 8 Oct. 2013

Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 8 Oct. 2013