mackerel
UK: ˈmæk.rəl | US: ˈmæk.rəl
n. A fast-swimming, oily fish of the North Atlantic and Mediterranean, widely caught for food.
n. (Informal) A term used in slang or idiomatic expressions (e.g., "holy mackerel").
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The word "mackerel" traces back to Old French maquerel (13th century), likely derived from a Germanic source, though its exact root is unclear. Some theories link it to Middle Dutch makelare (trader), possibly referencing the fish's commercial importance. The spelling and pronunciation evolved in English, retaining its compact form without separable morphemes. As a core noun for a natural object, it resists decomposition.
Grilled mackerel is rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Fishermen caught a large school of mackerel off the coast.
"Holy mackerel!" he exclaimed at the surprise.
The market sells fresh mackerel every morning.
Her recipe for smoked mackerel pâté won the competition.