fransmadam, noun

/ˌfransmaˈdam//ˌfrɑːnsmaˈdam/
Forms:
Also fransch madam, frans madame, and with initial capital.
Origin:
Afrikaans, Dutch, FrenchShow more Afrikaans, Frans (earlier Dutch Fransch) French + madam from French madame lady; see quotation 1947.
The seabream Boopsoidea inornata of the Sparidae; Cape lady sense 1; frenchie; french madam; Jacob Evertson sense 2; Jacopever sense 2.
Note:
The name ‘fransmadam’ is used for this species in Smith and Heemstra’s Smiths’ Sea Fishes (1986).
1913 C. Pettman Africanderisms 177Fransch madam, This curious appellation is given to the fish Pagrus holubi.
1945 H. Gerber Fish Fare 39This attractive little fish with its large eyes..is a good eating fish and any recipe for hottentot may be used for Frans Madam.
1947 K.H. Barnard Pict. Guide to S. Afr. Fishes 150Fransch Madam,..Supposed to derive its name from a fancied resemblance of the dark coloration and large lustrous brown eyes to a typical French lady.
1949 J.L.B. Smith Sea Fishes of Sn Afr. 274Boopsoidea inornata...Frans Madame or Jacopever (Cape). Dikoog. Peuloog or Grootogie (Knysna area). Cape Lady (Transkei)...Attains 12 ins. Found only in South Africa from the Cape to Natal, chiefly in reasonably deep water in rocky areas.
1966 Van Heyningen & Berthoud Uys Krige 145What anonymous fisherman had the pleasant fancy of calling that other dark and attractive little Cape fish with the large lustrous eyes by the charming name, Frans Madam? It certainly is a monument to his sense of humour.
1972 J.L.B. Smith in Std Encycl. of Sn Afr. V. 28Fransmadam..is a large-eyed colourful small fish which is a pest to anglers, as it occurs in great shoals which soon tear bait to shreds.
1988 E. Withers in Fair Lady 22 June (Suppl.) 15This collection of diverse and delectable dishes..features just about every conceivable fish available locally — from favourites such as kingklip..to more obscure catches like..fransmadam.
1988 R.A. Lubke et al. Field Guide to E. Cape Coast 111Fransmadam only grows to 30 cm and appears to be omnivorous, with small invertebrates dominating the diet.
The seabream Boopsoidea inornata of the Sparidae; Cape lady sense 1; frenchie; french madam; Jacob Evertson sense 2; Jacopever sense 2.
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