scup

[ skuhp ]

noun

1. a sparid food fish, Stenotomus chrysops, found along the Atlantic coast of the United States, having a compressed body and high back.

scup

/ skʌp /

noun

1. a common sparid fish, Stenotomus chrysops, of American coastal regions of the Atlantic Also callednorthern porgy

Word History and Origins

Origin of scup¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; short for earlier and dialectal scuppaug, skippaug, skapaug, from Narragansett ( English spelling) mishcuppaûog, plural (singular mishcùp )

Word History and Origins

Origin of scup¹

C19: from Narraganset mishcup, from mishe big + kuppe close together; from the form of the scales

Example Sentences

They are surface feeders, and swim in large schools in quest of menhaden, scup, and other small fishes.

From Project Gutenberg

Well now, come, I'll make a bargain with you; I'll engage to fix up a scup for you if you'll give me a kiss.

From Project Gutenberg

One of them had declared that he had the "highest old swing," in that "scup," ever taken by mortal, and a good many believed him.

From Project Gutenberg

The street boys of our day and early home were wont to term the hetairai of the public walks "scup."

From Project Gutenberg

Eastward he swims as "scup," while at the Manhattan end of the Sound he is fried as "porgie."

From Project Gutenberg