When we studied Hamlet in my grade twelve english class, we had to act out various scenes that were assigned to us. My "group" of sorts was assigned Act II, Scene II, which happens to be the very scene where Hamlet refers to Polonius as such.

Perhaps my teacher is simply intensely perverted, but she suggested to us that fishmonger was infact a term that was used in reference to someone who was a "pimp". (I guess one could come to this conclusion if they assumed certain female parts smelled like fish, and "dealer of fish".. well, you get the picture I'm sure.) Needless to say, we took full advantage of that, being the immature high school students that we were. I played Polonius and decided to dress much like a pimp.. ah, the fun we had.. thick gold chains.. he-he.

What was my point? Oh, right.. fishmonger = old slang for pimp.

Fish"mon`ger (?), n.

A dealer in fish.

 

© Webster 1913.

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