swordie

From sword(fish) +‎ -ie.

swordie (plural swordies)

1. (colloquial) A swordfish.
   • 1925, W. W. Dunsterville, “Big Game Fishing in New Zealand: After Swordfish and Tiger Sharks with Rod and Line”, in The Wide World Magazine, London, →OCLC, page 80, column 2:

     This picturesque and historic little place is the main centre for a really amazing sport—rod-fishing for swordfish, tiger or “mako” sharks, and kingfish. These fighting giants of the sea are undoubtedly among the finest game-fish known, and a man who has brought to the gaff a well-conditioned “swordie” of three hundred pounds or so, or a “mako” which turns the scale at a good four hundred pounds, will have experienced all the thrill he is ever likely to know so far as wielding the rod is concerned.

   • 1939, Arthur W[illiam] Upfield, “‘Fish-Oh!’”, in The Mystery of Swordfish Reef, New York, N.Y.: Scribner Paperback Fiction, published 1998, →ISBN, page 72:

     It’s our job to keep watch on the sea for’ard and on both beams for a fin, or for shoal fish where it’s likely a swordie will be. All you’ll see of a swordie will be his fin sticking above water and cutting it like a knife.

   • 1948 May, Thomas Woodrooffe, “In the Bay of Islands”, in Blackwood’s Magazine, volume 263, number 1591, Edinburgh, →ISSN, →OCLC, pages 385–387, column 1:

     A swordfish was different. If your line ran out some way then stopped, this could be “old Swordie” first making off with the bait between his jaws, […] “Don’t brake yet,” he warned, “let her run out till she stops—acts like a swordie.” […] “There you are!” Bob shouted suddenly. “A swordie; I thought so.”