Frankenfish

See also: frankenfish

English

Alternative forms

frankenfish

Etymology

franken- +‎ fish, from Frankenstein + fish. From early 1990's when a biotech company announced plans for a fast-growing transgenic salmon, which was subsequently named Frankenfish by the press. Re-introduced in 2004, when the movie Frankenfish was released.

Noun

Frankenfish (usually uncountable, plural Frankenfish or Frankenfishes)

(informal, derogatory) A fish that inspires fear for being unnatural in some way, as one that is invasive, or the product of genetic engineering.
- 2002 October 3, Kory Dodd, “Feds Announce Regs to Ban 'Frankenfish' Imports”, in FOXNews:
  The federal government will ban the import of live northern snakeheads beginning Friday, waiving the normal 30-day waiting period
- 2002 March 8, “Frankenfish Debate Heating Up”, in Associated Press:
  An application to sell Atlantic salmon with super-growth genes now sits before federal regulators, who must decide if Frankenfish -- as its legions of critics call it -- is safe for the dinner table.
- 2004 January 5, “Bigger Frankenfish to Fry”, in Los Angeles Times, page B.10:
  When it comes to more serious questions about genetically altered "Frankenfish" on the horizon, regulatory agencies will have to set aside empty rationalizations and rely on science.
- 2007 June 19, “'Frankenfish' stalks river in big numbers”, in Washington Times:
  Snakeheads have been dubbed such ominous nicknames as Frankenfish, killer fish, pit bulls with fins, and Chinese thug fish

Hypernyms

monster fish (fearsome fish)

Translations

fish that inspires fear due to being unnatural

Finnish: hirviökala