Where does kettle of fish originate?

The phrase "a kettle of fish" is a British idiom, meaning a messy or complicated situation. While its exact origin is unknown, there are a few theories about its history:

* Fishing: One common theory suggests it stems from the practice of catching fish in large quantities. A "kettle" might refer to a large basket or container used to hold the catch, and a "kettle of fish" would represent a large, wriggling, and potentially chaotic mass.

* Cooking: Another theory connects the phrase to the messy process of cleaning and preparing a large quantity of fish. Imagine a cook trying to deal with a kettle full of fish - a messy and complicated task.

* General confusion: Some scholars suggest that the phrase simply evolved from the idea of a large quantity of something, making it difficult to manage or understand.

It's important to note that there's no definitive proof for any of these theories. The phrase's origin is likely a combination of these elements and the natural evolution of language over time.

Regardless of its origin, the phrase "a kettle of fish" remains a colourful and descriptive way to describe a challenging situation.