Definition & Meaning of "fishwife"in English

What is the origin of the term "fishwife" and how is it used?

"Fishwife" is an English term dating back to the 16th–17th centuries, originally referring to women who sold fish at markets. These women were stereotyped as loud, blunt, and rough because they had to shout to attract customers over the market noise. Over time, the word shifted from a literal job description to a figurative insult for any coarse, loud, or abusive woman. It was used widely in everyday speech and literature, mostly in Britain, and carries a clearly derogatory tone, though in historical contexts it could be descriptive rather than moralizing. Today, it remains offensive if applied to someone directly.