Learn the terms and phrases used by lobstermen who live in the great state of Maine!
Mainers have a language all their own. And it’s not just the accent! Ever hear “ayuh” or “scrid” and have no idea what someone is talking about? Well, now is your chance to learn all of the terms Maine lobstermen and locals use!
PISTOL
Definition: A lobster with no claws.
Example: A pistol came up in Tom’s trap today – it hasn’t had a chance to grow its claws yet!
GEAR
Definition: A term to describe a fisherman’s traps, line and buoys.
Example: Tommy just got brand new gear for his boat.
AYUH
Definition: Another way to say yes.
Example: “Jimmy, do you want to go to the store?” “Ayuh.”
Definition: A term for a knitted bait bag.
Example: He packed the pocket with bait.
CORKER
Definition: How a Mainer says something is amazing or remarkable.
Example: That’s a corker sunset.
CULL
Definition: A term to describe a one-clawed lobster.
Example: We caught a few culls today, but none were keepers.
KEEPER
Definition: Lobsters that a lobstermen can legally harvest. They must fall between the minimum and maximum size limits and not be a female carrying eggs or a v-notched breeding female.
Example: “Look at that lobster – he’s a keeper!”
V-NOTCH
Definition: When a lobsterman catches a female lobster with egg showing on her tail, he will cut a small notch in her tail flipper and then return her to the ocean. This marks the lobster as a proven breeder and protects her from harvest.
Example: We have to throw that lobster back because it has a v-notch.
EGGER
Definition: Lobster found with eggs on the underside of its tail.
Example: I’ve got an egger so I have to make a v-notch.
BAIT IRON
Definition: The long metal rod with a handle used to put bait/bait bags in a trap, often called a spudger.
Example: I used the bait iron this morning to fill all the bait bags.
SCRID
Definition: How Mainers say there’s little or nothing.
Example: We didn’t catch scrid today.
CHIX
Definition: What Mainers say to refer to a one-pound of lobster. It’s short for chicken.
Example: Can we order chix?
GO TO HAUL
Definition: How Mainers say they’re going lobstering.
Example: Sean and Marge go to haul every day at 4 AM.
DOORYARD
Definition: The front yard of a house.
Example: Tasha’s dooryard was filled with fresh flowers.
SELECT
Definition: The term for a larger lobster that is 1.75+ lbs.
Example: Barbara wanted a good size lobster to cook for a recipe, so she got a select.
FROM AWAY
Definition: How Mainers say someone is not from Maine.
Example: Ted didn’t grow up in Ellsworth. He’s from away.
OILERS
Definition: The gear fishermen wear while hauling.
Example: The first thing Pedro does after reaching his boat is put on his oilers.
HARD TELLIN’
Definition: How Mainers say they don’t know.
Example: “Where did Mark get his boat?” “Hard tellin’.”
ROPE WRENCH
Definition: A type of knife.
Example: Amy used her rope wrench to cut the rope line.
SHIT POKE
Definition: What Mainers say when they’re referring to a cormorant bird. It dives underwater to eat small fish and invertebrates.
Example: That shit poke is always hanging around our boat when we’re out fishing.
