kingklip, noun

Origin:
AfrikaansShow more Short form of kingklipfish, partial translation of Afrikaans koningklipvis ‘king rock fish’; see king klipfish (klipfish sense 2).
Any of several species of marine fish (but especially Genypterus capensis). 1. Any of three species of rock cod of the Serranidae: a. Acanthistius sebastoides; b. Epinephelus andersoni; c. E. guaza. 2. The eel-like cuskeel Genypterus capensis of the Ophidiidae, an esteemed table fish; formerly called king klipfish or koning klipfish (see klipfish sense 2), king rock-fish (see rock-fish sense 3), klip (noun sense 3), klipfish (sense 2), and klipvis (sense 1). Also attributive. In both senses also called koningklip.
Note:
In Smith and Heemstra’s Smiths’ Sea Fishes (1986), the name ‘kingklip’ is used for G. capensis; the name ‘koester’ is used for A. sebastoides, and ‘catface rockcod’ for E. andersoni.
[1801 J. Barrow Trav. I. 30Another Blennius, called the King Rock-fish.]
1834 Cape of G.H. Lit. Gaz. July 103Of fish abundance and great variety..; the best, the kingklip and stokfish.
1949 J.L.B. Smith Sea Fishes of Sn Afr. 193Acanthistius sebastoides (Castlenau). Soup-bully (East London). Kingklip or Koningklip (Knysna)...Found only in South Africa from the Cape to Natal in shallow water among rocks...Flesh excellent.
1949 J.L.B. Smith Sea Fishes of Sn Afr. 195Epinephelus Andersoni...Rock-cod. Kingklip or koningklip (Knysna)...Found only in our area from Knysna to Delagoa Bay, often in quite shallow water about rocks. Sluggish, but good eating.
1949 J.L.B. Smith Sea Fishes of Sn Afr. 364Genypterus Capensis...Kingklip. Koningklip...Found from Walfish Bay around to Algoa Bay in 30–250 fathoms. A rather slimy, quite unmistakable species, sometimes abundant. Flesh excellent, an important food-fish of Cape waters.
1956 M. Rogers Black Sash 161Parliament’s two chefs prepared 15 turkeys, 30 ox-tongues, sole and king-klip, plus mixed salads and dessert.
1960 J. Cope Tame Ox 40The trawlers came in from the deep sea loaded down to the gunwales with stock-fish, not to mention soles, silver, gurnet, kingklip, cob, white and red stumpnose, skate, yellowtail and tunny.
1966 J.L.B. & M.M. Smith Fishes of Tsitsikama Coastal Nat. Park 81This almost eel-like fish is one of the best known first class eating fishes of our seas, from Walvis Bay round to Algoa Bay, and as it is nowhere abundant, far more fish named ‘Kingklip’ [printed Kingglip] on menus is eaten than is ever caught.
1975 E. Prov. Herald 27 May 34Grapefruit adds a piquant flavour to kingklip steaks, baked crisp with buttered crumbs.
1975 M.M. Smith in Smith & Jackson Common & Scientific Names of Fishes 24Xiphirus capensis Koningklip, Kingklip.
1977 World 27 Sept. (Suppl.) 2We tried the kingklip fish which, although it came in smaller pieces, was served rich in a selection of vegetables and sauces to suit individual taste.
1982 Fair Lady 6 Oct. 6Grilled kingklip, perlemoen fritters on the beach at Onrus River and shoulder of impala in cream and sherry in the bush are about the only dishes we would dare to put before those looming gastronomes.
1988 Style Feb. 18One of the most popular dishes for health conscious executives is the filleted grilled kingklip.
1989 E. Platter in Style Dec. 18I have much enjoyed, here, good old kingklip and chips, the fish exceptionally succulent yet firm.
1990 City Press 11 Feb. 5The ANC leader enjoyed a breakfast of kingklip fishcakes and cereal.
1994 Weekend Post 1 Jan. (Leisure) 6Kingklip in Cider...Cut kingklip into serving portions.
Acanthistius sebastoides;
Epinephelus andersoni;
E. guaza.
The eel-like cuskeel Genypterus capensis of the Ophidiidae, an esteemed table fish; formerly called king klipfish or koning klipfish (see klipfish sense 2), king rock-fish (see rock-fish sense 3), klip (noun sense 3), klipfish (sense 2), and klipvis (sense 1). Also attributive. In both senses also called koningklip.
Entry Navigation

Visualise Quotations

Quotation summary

Senses

18011994