or -bee, subs. phr. (common).—A herring: see GLASGOW MAGISTRATE (B. E. and GROSE).
1662. FULLER, Worthies, ‘Norfolk,’ II. 126. A YARMOUTH CAPON. That is, a Red-herring. I believe few Capons (save what have more fins than feathers) are bred in Yarmouth. But, to countenance this expression, I understand that the Italian Friers (when disposed to eat the flesh on Fridays) call Capon piscem e corte, a fish out of the coop.
