mackerel
UK[ˈmækrəl]US[ˈmækrəl]
n
a sea fish that has a greenish-blue back and wavy dark bands on its back, and is eaten as food
Etymology
the word 'mackerel' entered english in the 13th century from the old french 'maquerel'. its earlier origins are obscure but are likely romance, perhaps from a vulgar latin source. despite some folk etymologies, there is no reliable evidence linking it to the old french 'maquerel' meaning 'pimp' or 'broker'. the word's journey is a straightforward borrowing for the name of the fish, with its form remaining largely unchanged in english for centuries, solidifying its status as an unanalyzable lexical unit.
Analysis
this word is a simplex form. it is a loanword from old french, ultimately of uncertain origin, possibly from a romance language root.
Examples
we grilled fresh mackerel for dinner.
the fishing boats returned with a large catch of mackerel.
mackerel is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.