crawfish

crawfish

English

Etymology

Folk etymology from Middle English crevis, from Old French crevice, influenced by fish. Compare crayfish, French écrevisse.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkɹɒˌfɪʃ/ [ext 1][ext 2][ext 3]

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Noun

crawfish (countable and uncountable, plural crawfishes or crawfish)

1. (Southern US, Midwestern US and Western US) Various freshwater crustaceans, crayfish.
2. (South Africa) Various marine crustaceans, rock lobster; especially Jasus lalandii, the Cape crawfish.
3. (Quebec, Canada, slang, derogatory) A slur against Anglo-Canadians used in some corners of Quebec (including the Gaspé).

Synonyms

• (freshwater crustaceans): crawdad, crawldad, crawlfish, crayfish, mudbug, yabby (Australia)

Translations

crayfish — see crayfish

slur against Anglo-Canadians in parts of Quebec

Verb

crawfish (third-person singular simple present crawfishes, present participle crawfishing, simple past and past participle crawfished)

1. (colloquial, Southern US) To backpedal, desert or withdraw (also used with out).
   • 1968, Charles Portis, True Grit:

     I have never been one to flinch or crawfish when faced with an unpleasant task.

Translations

to backpedal

Spanish: recular (es)

References

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqiTWYUPbUc&cc=1&t=0m17s
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB7IfqZTIpo&cc=1&t=0m26s
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnKOVPXhlnE&feature=related&t=0m33s

Further reading

• “crawfish”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
• “crawfish, n.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.