What is "panfish"

panfish \panfish\ n.

1. Any of numerous small food fishes; especially those not available on the market.

2. Any of numerous small food fishes taken with hook and line.

1833, American English, from pan (n.1) + fish (n.).

n. fish that are suitable for cooking in a frying pan by virtue both of size and taste; '''panfish''' are caught primarily for eating, rather than for sport

n. any of numerous small food fishes; especially those caught with hook and line and not available on the market

A panfish, also spelled pan-fish or pan fish, is an edible game fish that usually doesn't outgrow the size of a frying pan. The term is also commonly used by anglers to refer to any small catch that will fit in a pan, but is large enough to be legal. However its definition and usage varies with geographical region. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term was first recorded in 1796 in American Cookery, the first known cookbook written by an American.

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