Dictionary

Frankenfish en · NOUN

Etymology

From Franken- + fish, from blend of Frankenstein + fish. From the early 1990's when a biotech company announced plans for a fast-growing transgenic salmon, which was subsequently named Frankenfish by the press. Reintroduced in 2004, when the movie Frankenfish was released.

Meanings

1. (derogatory, informal) A fish that inspires fear for being unnatural in some way, as one that is invasive, or the product of genetic engineering.
   • An application to sell Atlantic salmon with super-growth genes now sits before federal regulators, who must decide if Frankenfish -- as its legions of critics call it -- is safe for the dinner table. 2002 March 8, “Frankenfish Debate Heating Up”, in Associated Press:
   • When it comes to more serious questions about genetically altered "Frankenfish" on the horizon, regulatory agencies will have to set aside empty rationalizations and rely on science. 2004 January 5, “Bigger Frankenfish to Fry”, in Los Angeles Times, page B.10:
   • The federal government will ban the import of live northern snakeheads beginning Friday, waiving the normal 30-day waiting period 2002 October 3, Kory Dodd, “Feds Announce Regs to Ban 'Frankenfish' Imports”, in FOXNews:
   • Snakeheads have been dubbed such ominous nicknames as Frankenfish, killer fish, pit bulls with fins, and Chinese thug fish 2007 June 19, “'Frankenfish' stalks river in big numbers”, in Washington Times:

Forms

Hypernyms

monster fish

Relateds

northern snakehead

Translations (1)

fi hirviökala (fish that inspires fear due to being unnatural)

wikipedia: Frankenfish