Re: Mackerel snappers

John Briggs wrote:
Blue Sow wrote:
I encountered the term 'mackerel snappers' while watching TV last
night. It was used in a way that seemed to make it similar in
meaning to 'god botherers'.
I can manage to see a link between 'mackerel' and the old fish symbol
but 'snappers'? I am not sure what that would mean in this context.

Does anyone have any ideas about this? It is not mentioned in SOED
so I have no idea if this was an original usage.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=mackerel+snapper

A Roman Catholic. Mildly pejorative or humorous. Refers to the former Catholic custom of abstaining from meat on Fridays, and hence eating fish.


Many thanks.
Following up on your information, I have now found it in the full OED (I have not got a copy).
It seems to be American English (rare) slang dating from 1960. Strange it should turn up last night.

Thanks again.


--
Blue Sow
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