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Glite Dictionary
hog molly

hog molly

9.9
A small freshwater fish that lives in warm clear shallow streams in North America
  • noun
  • US
translation icon : pez chub
  • We spotted a hog molly darting beneath the rocks in the creek.

Examples

  • The hog molly is often used as bait by local anglers.

  • I caught a hog molly while fishing in the stream.

  • Conservation efforts have helped increase the hog molly population in this region.

  • The hog molly is known for its vibrant colors.

  • While fishing in the clear stream, I was thrilled to catch a hog molly that glistened in the sunlight.

  • The hog molly is a popular fish among anglers due to its abundance in shallow, warm waters.

  • As we hiked along the riverbank, we observed a hog molly swimming gracefully among the pebbles.

Surface Forms

hog molly singular
hog mollies plural

Morphology

hog + molly

Because the second constituent 'molly' is a known fish name, a B1 learner who knows both words would likely infer that 'hog molly' denotes a type of fish. However, the modifier 'hog' does not transparently specify the precise species, habitat, or characteristics (it appears to be a regional or folk name for a river chub), so the full, specific meaning is not predictable from the parts alone.

Etymology

Hog molly may come from people thinking this little, plump stream fish was a hog version of a molly, a common name for small fish, so the name gives the image of a chunky bait fish. That's why hog molly now means 'a freshwater fish' often found in streams.