neither fish, flesh, nor fowl - Not one thing or the other; not fitting easily into any particular category. This term traces back to the sixteenth century and made an appearance in John Heywood’s 1546 Proverbs as “She is nother fyshe, nor fleshe, nor good red hearyng [herring].” The saying illustrates distinctions in medieval society: food suitable for monks (fish), for the general populace (meat), and for the poor (red herring). William Shakespeare echoed this, with Falstaff’s quip in Henry IV, Part 1 regarding Mistress Quickly: “She’s neither fish nor flesh; a man knows not where to have her.”
Related and Similar Terms
- Betwixt and between: Caught in an unsatisfactory middle position.
- Neither here nor there: Something that is irrelevant or unimportant.
- Jack of all trades, master of none: Someone adept in many areas, but not an expert in any.
- A square peg in a round hole: Someone in a situation they are unsuited for.
- On the fence: Unable or unwilling to make a decision.
Proverbs and Similar Expressions
- “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” - Better to have certainty you’ll get rather than expect more that you might not get.
- “Neither rhyme nor reason.” - Without logic or explanation.
- “Caught between a rock and a hard place.” - Facing two difficult choices.
Humor-Filled Quotes
- “They say I’m neither fish nor fowl. I say I’m a new dish altogether.” —Annie Maloe
- “Like a good mystery novel, some people are neither fish, flesh, nor fowl—and that’s what keeps us reading!”
Literature and References
Books and Poetry:
- Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare - Star-crossed confusion at its best.
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - The monster languishes between being a ‘man’ and ‘monster.’
Movies:
- The Breakfast Club - A ragtag group that doesn’t quite fit in but bonds over shared outcast status.
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - Characters struggle between choices and identities.
Songs:
- “I’m No Good” by Amy Winehouse - An anthem for the proudly undefined.
- “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele - Sailing uncertain emotional waters.
Inspirational Thought: Never fitting neatly into one box means you are an embodiment of complexity—a human experience that holds multitudes. Embrace your many facets and never let definitions limit you.
Farewell for now, until our expressions break free again.
- Lexi Von Witt
