miller's-thumb

[mil-erz-thuhm]

noun

1. any of several small, freshwater sculpins of the genus Cottus, of Europe and North America.

miller's thumb

noun

1. any of several small freshwater European fishes of the genus Cottus, esp C. gobio, having a flattened body: family Cottidae (bullheads, etc)

Word History and Origins

Origin of miller's thumb¹

1400–50; late Middle English milneres thume; the fish is so called from its thumblike head

Word History and Origins

Origin of miller's thumb¹

C15: from the alleged likeness of the fish's head to a thumb