Definition of the word mackerel

The origin of the word "mackerel" for the fish we know today is a matter of debate, but the most widely accepted theory comes from Old English and Scandinavian words. In Old English, the word for mackerel was "maccargvyrl," which meant "a species of fish with large scales." The Old Norse word for the fish was "makarhl," which also referred to large-scaled fish. It is thought that the Vikings and Anglo-Saxons who settled in England and Scotland adopted these words for the fish they encountered. Over time, the word "mackerel" evolved, likely due to language vowel shifts. For example, the Old English "g" sound evolved into "c" in Middle English. By the 14th century, the word "makarel" was documented, which became "makrerl" in the 15th century. By the late 16th century, the word "mackerel" was in common use to refer to the fish we know today. It's interesting to note that some Native American tribes also have names for mackerel in their languages, possibly indicating that the fish migrated to North America before contact with Europeans. While these words might not seem related to Old English or Scandinavian terms, it's possible that the fish were given similar names based on their distinctive characteristics, such as their shape, color, or behavior. So, in short, the origin of the word "mackerel" likely lies in the Old English and Old Norse words for 'large-scaled fish,' which evolved over time due to changes in pronunciation and linguistic convergence.