Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
EGYPT HERRING, Egyptian Herring, n. comb. The Saury Pike, Scombresox saurus (m.Lth. 1825 Jam.2).m.Lth. 1811 P. Neill in Wernerian Soc. Mem. 17:
Esox Saurus: it seems to be rare in the southern or English seas; but it is not uncommon in the north of Scotland, and almost every autumn it enters the Firth of Forth in considerable shoals. Here it is named Gowdnook, Gowdanook, or Gaufnook, and sometimes Egypt-herring.
