Why do we say kettle of fish?

The custom was described by Thomas Newte in his Tour of England and Scotland in 1785: “It is customary for the gentlemen who live near the Tweed to entertain their neighbours and friends with a Fete Champetre, which they call giving ‘a kettle of fish’.

Where does the expression a kettle of fish?

The phrase “a different kettle of fish” is originated from the United Kingdom. However, it is also a widely used phrase in the United States. The origin of “a different kettle of fish” is traced back to Thomas Newte’s A Tour in England and Scotland published in 1785. It is stated to have mentioned it.

What is the saying different kettle of fish?

an awkward, difficult, or bad situation; muddle; mess: He’s managed to get himself into a fine kettle of fish! a state of affairs; a matter under consideration: The new proposal is quite a different kettle of fish from the last one.

Who said pretty kettle of fish?

And, in Errors of Speech and of Spelling (1877), Ebenezer Cobham Brewer (1810-97) wrote the following: Kiddle, a basket for catching fish. […] “A pretty kiddle of fish” corrupted into “A pretty kettle of fish”, a fine mess has been made, a dilemma.

How is a fish kettle used?

Larousse Gastronomique describes the fish kettle as “a long, deep cooking receptacle with two handles, a grid, and a lid. The fish kettle is used to cook whole fish, such as hake, salmon, pike, in a court-bouillon. The removable grid enables the fish to be taken out without breaking it.”

Can of Worms meaning?

Definition of open a can of worms : to create a complicated situation in which doing something to correct a problem leads to many more problems Our boss is reluctant to change the policy now because she doesn’t want to open a can of worms.

What’s the meaning of chalk and cheese?

When you say that two people are like ‘chalk and cheese’, you are suggesting that the two are very different from each other; they have nothing in common. The expression, which has the same meaning as ‘apples and oranges’, can be used with things as well. No one is really sure about the origin of this idiom.

What is court bouillon and fish kettle?

What is the meaning of at the drop of hat?

Immediately, without delay
Immediately, without delay, as in We were ready to pack our bags and go on vacation at the drop of a hat. This phrase probably alludes to signaling the start of a race or other contest by dropping a hat. [