A name applied to various species of fish. The N.E.D. furnishes examples, 1725–1897.
1775. The visits paid of late years by some species of southern fishes to New York harbour, such as the mullet, porgy, and some others.—B. Romans, ‘Florida,’ p. 133 n.
1833. It could not be fish; there was more substance even in paugies.—Knick. Mag., i. 371 (June).
1843. The sight of the cheerful porgies comin’ up on the hook may sort o’ revive you, and make you forget your suff’rin’s.—Cornelius Mathews, ‘Writings,’ p. 34.
1857. Porgies—purchased in their decadence from perambulating fish-vendors.—T. B. Gunn, ‘New York Boarding-houses,’ p. 52. (Italics in the original.)
