matjes herring

English

Etymology

From Dutch maatjesharing (“matjes herring”), from maatjes (“young, small”) + haring (“herring”), from earlier forms maetgens-, maeghdekins-, medykens- (“maiden-like”), from maagd (“maiden”) + -kin (“-kin”), so called because matjes herring is made of young herring that has never spawned.

Noun

matjes herring (plural matjes herrings or matjes herring)

1. Young filleted herring that has been matured for a short time in brine and prepared traditionally with vinegar, sugar, salt, and spices.

Translations

prepared young herring

• Danish: matjessild c
• Dutch: maatjesharing (nl) m
• Finnish: matjessilli
• German: Matjeshering m
• Norwegian:

  Bokmål: matjessild m or f

  Nynorsk: matjessild f

• Swedish: matjessill (sv) c