crawfish
English
Etymology
Folk etymology from Middle English crevis, from Old French crevice, influenced by fish. Compare crayfish, French écrevisse.
Pronunciation
Noun
crawfish (countable and uncountable, plural crawfishes or crawfish)
- (Southern US, Midwestern US and Western US) Various freshwater crustaceans, crayfish.
- (South Africa) Various marine crustaceans, rock lobster; especially Jasus lalandii, the Cape crawfish.
- (Quebec, Canada, slang, derogatory) A slur against Anglo-Canadians used in some corners of Quebec (including the Gaspé).
Synonyms
Translations
crayfish — see crayfish
slur against Anglo-Canadians in parts of Quebec
Verb
crawfish (third-person singular simple present crawfishes, present participle crawfishing, simple past and past participle crawfished)
- (colloquial, Southern US) To backpedal, desert or withdraw (also used with out).
- 1968, Charles Portis, True Grit:
- I have never been one to flinch or crawfish when faced with an unpleasant task.
Translations
to backpedal
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References
- “crawfish”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
- “crawfish, n.”, in OED Online , Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.
Further reading
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