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

See Examples For:

mackerel sky

"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

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

There was a mackerel sky, with the clouds dropping on the mountain-tops till you could hardly say which was which. 

From The Lady of the Shroud by Bram Stoker

"A mackerel sky and mare's tails, Make lofty ships carry low sails."

From Notes and Queries, Number 201, September 3, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc by George Bell