‖ blaasop S. Afr.
(blɑːˈsɒp)
[Afrikaans, f. blaas to blow + op up.]
A puff-fish: see puff n. 9 b.
| [1853 L. Pappe Edible Fishes Cape Good Hope 8 This fish (Blaasopvisch; Balloonfish; Toadfish) is never found in Table Bay, but is very common in the bays to the east of it.] 1902 J. D. F. Gilchrist in Trans. S. Afr. Philos. Soc. XI. 227 Blassop, Toad-fish (E. London). Tetrodon honkenyi. 1913 W. W. Thompson Sea-Fisheries Cape Colony 159 Tetrodon honkenyi..Blaasop; Toad-fish (East London). 1947 K. H. Barnard Pict. Guide S. Afr. Fishes 209 Globe-Fishes or Puffers. Known at the Cape as Blaasops and in England and America as Puffers from their habit of ‘blowing up’ or puffing out the body; called Tobies in Natal. 1947 L. G. Green Tavern of Seas iv. 37 The blaasop's liver contains a deadly poison. |