mackerel sky

American  

noun

1. an extensive group of cirrocumulus or altocumulus clouds, especially when well-marked in their arrangement: so called because of a resemblance to the scales on a mackerel.

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mackerel sky British  

noun

1. a sky patterned with cirrocumulus or small altocumulus clouds

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Etymology

Origin of mackerel sky

First recorded in 1660–70

Example Sentences

The lilies had died back to the ground; the bark of the crepe myrtles had all peeled away; there was a mackerel sky.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

But now they were higher and smaller, settling at last into a mackerel sky like a beach at low tide.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

"Mackerel sky, mackerel sky, not long wet nor not long dry," said a man in a black silk top hat to Tristran and Yvaine.

From "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman

There was no sun save where he streamed his ribbon rays from behind Sunset Rock, and threw them in pearl and ivory fan handles—white and gold and emerald, across the mackerel sky beyond.

From The Bishop of Cottontown A Story of the Southern Cotton Mills by Moore, John Trotwood

Or we say that the clouds are flying: the savage used the same expression, as he looked up at the mackerel sky, and saw in it flights of swans coursing over the heavenly lake.

From The Book of Were-Wolves by Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)