When did the word sardine first appear in English?
The word sardine first appeared in English during the 15th century. It arrived as a loanword from French, which had borrowed it from Latin.
Questions about Sardine
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What is the origin of the name sardine according to historical theories?
One theory suggests the name traces back to Sardinia, the Italian island where sardines were once thought to be abundant. Another possibility links the name to the reddish-brown color of some sardine flesh resembling varieties of red sardonyx or sardine stone derived from Sardis.
How many species are classified as sardines by international standards?
The FAO/WHO Codex standard for canned sardines cites 21 species that may be classed as sardines. FishBase lists at least six species simply called pilchards and over a dozen other species carry just the name sardine.
Why do sardines remain low in contaminants like mercury compared to other fish?
Sardines occupy a low trophic level within ocean food webs which keeps them relatively free of contaminants like mercury compared to other edible fish. They feed almost exclusively on zooplankton wherever it is abundant.
When did the United States sardine canning industry peak and when did the last large cannery close?
The United States sardine canning industry peaked during the 1950s before entering decline. The last large sardine cannery in the United States closed on the 15th of April 2010.