Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BLACK FISH, n. “Fish when they have recently spawned” (Sc. 1808 Jam.) — i.e. foul fish. The term is still in common use (Fif.1 1936). Abd. 1714 Monymusk Papers (S.H.S.) 190:
Each of them were guiltie of killing black fish.