Words for fish in the Celtic languages.
| Proto-Celtic | *ɸēskos = fish |
|---|---|
| Old Irish (Goídelc) | íasc = fish |
| Irish (Gaeilge) | iasc [iəsˠk] = fish, to fish iasc (uisce) abhann / locha [iəsˠk] = river / lake fish, freshwater fish iasc farraige / iasc mara [iəsˠk] = sea-fish, saltwater fish |
| Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) | iasg [iəsg] = fish, Pisces iasg fìor-uisge = freshwater fish iasg mara = saltwater fish |
| Manx (Gaelg) | eeast = fish eeast awin = freshwater fish eeast marrey = marine fish, sea fish |
| Proto-Brythonic | *uɨsk = fish |
| Welsh (Cymraeg) | Wysg [uːɨ̯sk / ʊi̯sk] = Usk (river) |
Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pisḱ-/peysḱ- (fish). The name of the river Exe comes from the same root, as does Exmoor, where the river rises, Exmouth, where it meets the sea, and Exeter, which stands on the river.
| Welsh (Cymraeg) | pysgod [ˈpəsɡɔd] = fish(es), Pisces pysgod aweddwr / pysgod dŵr croyw / pysgod dŵr glân [iəsˠk] = freshwater fish pysgod (y) môr [iəsˠk] = sea fish, saltwater fish |
|---|---|
| Cornish (Kernewek) | pysk [pɪːsk] / pesk = fish |
| Breton (Brezhoneg) | pesked = fish |
Etymology: from the Latin piscātus, past participle of piscor (to fish), from piscis (fish), from Proto-Indo-European *pisḱ-/peysḱ- (fish).
Interesting idioms related to fish:
- Irish: Iasc as uisce i do bhéal! = Restrain your tongue! (“Fish out of water in your mouth”)
- Irish: Ar iascadh libh? = Did you catch fish / succeed in your quest
- Irish: Ar iascach ar dhuine = to fish information from sb
- Welsh: pysgota mewn dŵr llwyd = to fish in troubled waters
Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, TermOfis