different between sciaenidae vs croaker

English

Etymology

croak +? -er

Pronunciation

Noun

croaker (plural croakers)

1. One who croaks.
2. (dated) A vocal pessimist, grumbler, or doomsayer.
   • 1869, Frederick Douglass, "Our Composite Nationality"

     It is thought by many, and said by some, that this Republic has already seen its best days; that the historian may now write the story of its decline and fall. Two classes of men are just now especially afflicted with such forebodings. The first are those who are croakers by nature – the men who have a taste for funerals, and especially national funerals. They never see the bright side of anything, and probably never will.
3. (colloquial) A frog. (Can we add an example for this sense?)
4. A fish in the family Sciaenidae, known for the throbbing sounds they make.
5. (slang) A doctor.
   • Around 1900, O. Henry, Hygeia at the Solito

     "Lungs," said McGuire comprehensively. "I got it. The croaker says I'll come to time for six months longer—maybe a year if I hold my gait.

Derived terms