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neither fish nor fowl
01
used to describe a person or thing that is hard to describe or classify
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "neither fish nor fowl" and when to use it?
The idiom "neither fish nor fowl" has origins in Old English and Middle English literature, but its specific source is not well-documented. It is used to describe something or someone that does not fit into a specific category, is difficult to categorize, or lacks clear characteristics of any particular type.
Examples
Medical interns are neither fish nor fowl. They are neither students nor fully qualified practitioners.
The new hybrid car model is neither fish nor fowl; it does n't strictly belong to the electric or gasoline categories.
