trash fish

noun

1. a fish traditionally sold only for animal feed or manufactured products.

Word History and Origins

Origin of trash fish¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

What had been a trash fish for the better part of the 20th century could suddenly transform into one of the most sought-after ingredients through the innovation of this one individual at Japan Airlines.

From Los Angeles Times

I love working with "trash fish."

From Salon

A trash fish is a fish that is normally thrown back or considered as "not good enough meat."

From Salon

Other lures are made to resemble juvenile hitch and sold under a slogan that some people feel mocks the creature’s cultural importance to Pomo people: “The All-American Trash Fish.”

From Los Angeles Times

For years, lampreys were deliberately poisoned along with other so-called trash fish.

From Seattle Times