Hassar (1833)

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NATURAL HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS
by Jerome Van Crowninsheld SMith
Boston: Allen and Ticknor
1833

   This is an important book.
   I was looking for, but didn't find, "scrod."  (See last year's AMERICAN
SPEECH article.)  The first citation is 1841 in SPIRIT OF THE TIMES.  That
publication is in the American Periodical Series but, like PUCK, they didn't
get around to digitizing it yet.  When they do, you'll get "scrod."
   Pg. 270 lists "hassar," and says to see the work of Dr, Hancock in the
Zoological Journal, 14th number.
   OED has 1865 for the "hassar" fish.
   The early "hoosier bait" citations--also of this time of
1832-1833--mention "hooshier-bait" and fishing.
   Does "hoosier" come from "hassar"?  Is this antedating useful?  Did I
knock off another state nickname?