scup

[ skuhp ]

noun

1. a sparid food fish, Stenotomus chrysops, found along the Atlantic coast of the United States, having a compressed body and high back.

scup

/ skʌp /

noun

1. a common sparid fish, Stenotomus chrysops, of American coastal regions of the Atlantic Also callednorthern porgy

Word History and Origins

Origin of scup¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; short for earlier and dialectal scuppaug, skippaug, skapaug, from Narragansett ( English spelling) mishcuppaûog, plural (singular mishcùp )

Word History and Origins

Origin of scup¹

C19: from Narraganset mishcup, from mishe big + kuppe close together; from the form of the scales

Example Sentences

Some resistance to porgies, also known as scup in New England, can be attributed to the fish’s many bones.

From New York Times

This allows for the commercial harvest of any of the five species of restricted finfish, summer flounder, scup, striped bass, black sea bass and tautog.

From Washington Times

Both parents emigrated from Portugal; his father fished for squid, scup, bass and tuna, and from an early age enlisted George and his three brothers in his fishing expeditions.

From Washington Post

The winter quota for scup will be nearly 10 million pounds.

From Washington Times

The scup fishery is still very active from Massachusetts to Virginia.

From Seattle Times