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Glite Dictionary
sailors choice

sailors choice

8.6
A small striped fish that lives near coasts from Florida to Brazil and in the Gulf of Mexico
  • noun
  • US
translation icon : pescado de marinero
  • The distinctive stripes of the sailors choice make it easy to identify among other reef fish.

Examples

  • The sailors choice is commonly seen by snorkelers along the coral reefs of the Florida Keys.

  • Fishermen caught several sailors choice while trawling near the coast of Brazil.

  • The sailors choice is often found in local markets.

  • Many restaurants serve sailors choice as a specialty dish.

  • Fishermen caught several sailors choice while trawling near the coast of Brazil.

  • The sailors choice is commonly seen by snorkelers along the coral reefs of the Florida Keys.

  • The distinctive stripes of the sailors choice make it easy to identify among other reef fish.

Synonyms

sailor's-choice
vssailors choice
  • US
1 9.9

A silver, striped fish found near coasts from Florida to Brazil

is the precise biological species label rather than a fishing use description
Haemulon parra
vssailors choice
  • Specialized
9.9

A sea fish with a round body that lives near coral reefs from Florida to Brazil

is the common name used for that same species

Surface Forms

sailors choice singular
sailors choices plural

Morphology

sailor + choice

A B1 learner who knows 'sailor' and 'choice' would at best infer 'something sailors prefer' or a high-quality item associated with sailors, not that it is the common name of a specific fish species. This is a lexicalized species name (a proper/common name) whose referent is unpredictable from the constituent meanings, so the expression is opaque to learners.

Etymology

Sailors choice may come from old fishing crews who often picked this striped reef fish to eat. Because sailors chose it as their 'choice' of meal, the name now refers to this particular species of reef fish.