The price of fish

Posted by R. Berg on April 03, 2003

In Reply to: The price of fish posted by Kit on April 02, 2003

: Ok, here's a nice old English saying for you guys to look up:

: "What's that got to do with the price of fish?" - used when responding to a statement not in line with the general conversation.

: Any help finding the origin of this most bizarre saying would be appreciated!

Apparently it developed from "What's that got to do with the price of eggs?," U.S. origin, "since the 1920s, if not earlier" (Eric Partridge, Dictionary of Catch Phrases: American and British, from the Sixteenth Century to the Present Day, 1985). Another variant Partridge cites is ". . . of tea in China?" I've also heard ". . . of rice in China?"
: Cheers.

• The price of fish JessP 04/09/03
  • The price of fish TheFallen 04/21/03