TWAT! It's a pregnant fish

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We also looked up twit, the entries for which filled more than a column of tiny type. No fish there either. Goldfish typically reach breeding age when they are about 2 years old. However, some goldfish have been known to start breeding when they are as young as 1 year old. Well, firstly, because regardless of a words (purported) origin or meaning, ‘twit’, ‘twat’, and ‘twerp’ were (and still are) offensive words, and secondly because these three words have absolutely nothing to do with pregnant fish, gold or otherwise. Yes, sorry to destroy the myth, but there’s absolutely no truth in this whatsoever! I’m not sure where this myth originated, but it certainly did become popular across the UK…and I’m sure there’s still plenty of children and adults who believe it to this day.

The Century Dictionary of the English Language and Encyclopedic Lexicon. Vol.XXIII. New York: Century. 1891. p.6548 . Retrieved 13 July 2020. Oviparity: This is where the female’s eggs are fertilised internally but are then released into the water to develop. In excess of 97% of all known fish species are oviparous. Although fish eggs can vary in size, marine fish typically produce eggs that are a mere millimetre in size. Fish eggs do not develop a hard (or soft) shell yet are surrounded by an extra-embryonic membrane to aid development and provide protection. Newly hatched fish are called larvae and carry around with them a ‘yolk sac’ for nourishment. During the transition period from larvae to juvenile, the fish must learn how to feed on plankton (they lose their ‘yolk sac’ once they reach the juvenile stage of their development). I rolled my eyes but dutifully looked up twirp (and twerp) in the OED. No mention of fish, gold or not. Female goldfish generally develop eggs and spawn when they are kept with mature male goldfish. One way of determining if your female goldfish could be pregnant is to determine whether the males in the same aquarium are showing spawning tubercles.

Our version of the OED weighs maybe a hundred pounds. Obviously the goldfish guy was on drugs. We abandoned the pursuit of twat as, you should pardon the expression, a blind alley. Among the pithy sayings which, according to tradition, the philosopher bequeathed to posterity in rhythmical form and sententious brevity, this is notably recorded: "Humble yourselves, my descendants; the father of your race was a 'twat' (tadpole): exalt yourselves, my descendants, for it was the same Divine Thought which created your father that develops itself in exalting you. Modern use However, some aquarists have found that PetSmart tends to have slightly lower prices for aquarium supplies. However, ‘pregnancy in fish is actually a rather interesting topic, and if you garner a little knowledge in this area, you can a) dispel the myth that a pregnant fish is called a ‘twit’,’ twat’, or ‘twerp’ (very handy for when your kids decide to use that excuse), and b) boost your knowledge and perhaps win a few points for your local pub quiz team if the topic of pregnant fish every comes up (unlikely, but you never know!). Outdoor goldfish ponds are typically the best spawning environment, but indoor tanks can work just as well if they are set up correctly. Be sure to establish a good breeding environment for your pregnant goldfish before she is ready to lay her eggs. This will help ensure that her fry has the best chance of surviving and thriving. Common Questions About Goldfish Breeding When Do Goldfish Breeding Seasons Take Place? Image Source: Commons.wikimedia.org

In addition to keeping environmental conditions ideal, you’ll also want to ensure that the water temperature is between 74-78 degrees Fahrenheit. Although goldfish can tolerate cold waters, the optimal tank temperature for spawning tends to be warmer. Cold temperatures may cause the eggs to hatch prematurely or die altogether.Peter Silverton, Peter (2011). Filthy English: The How, Why, When And What Of Everyday Swearing. Portobello Books. p.52. ISBN 9781846274527. To evaluate the claim that a “twat” refers to a pregnant fish, it is necessary to consider the reproductive process of fish. Now the Australian Going Places magazine claims rather that ‘a pregnant goldfish is called a twit.’ It has also been suggested that this is a mistaken definition of twat. Confirmation of any of these, please.” Choosing between Petco and PetSmart ultimately depends on your individual needs and the specific stores in your area. But I like the Petco due to high quality services

If you call someone a twerp, you are insulting them and saying that they are silly or stupid. Is SMEG a swear word Ideally, the best option would be to support local fish stores that specialize in aquariums, as they often provide a more personalized experience and expert advice.Rolfe, William; Hersey, Heloise, eds. (1894). Select poems of Robert Browning. English classics. New York: Harper and Brothers. p.195 l.96 . Retrieved 13 July 2020.

Wright, Joseph (1892). A Grammar of the Dialect of Windhill. London, UK: Truebner and Co. pp. 77, 251. Ovuliparity: This is where the female lays eggs (unfertilised), which are then fertilised externally by the male. Examples of fish that use this method of ‘pregnancy’ are eels, tuna, goldfish, and salmon. For the purposes of film certification, usage of the word is not considered as serious as many other swear words. It is listed by the British Board of Film Classification as an example of "moderate language" for the 12 certificate. [39] However, the film Kes originally released in 1969 and given a 'U' certificate by the then British Board of Film Censors, denoting suitable for children, has in later years been re-certified PG in the United Kingdom, meaning: "All ages admitted, but certain scenes may be unsuitable for young children. Should not disturb children aged 8 years or over", despite more than one instance of the word. [40] The word also appears in writing in an episode of Fawlty Towers (the letters on the sign have been rearranged to say "Flowery Twats"). The episode has a 12 certificate. [41]The word gravid is used to describe a bird that is carrying eggs. This is the equivalent word to pregnant when used for birds. Which animal is pregnant for lifetime Gilliver, Peter (2016). The Making of the Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. p.297. ISBN 978-0-19-100968-6 . Retrieved 11 July 2020. a b "Definition of Twat by Oxford Dictionary". Lexico. Archived from the original on 3 July 2019 . Retrieved 24 July 2020. So, the answer to the question, ‘ What is a pregnant goldfish called?’, is that there is no real answer – sorry to disappoint.