mackerel sky

== English == === Etymology === From mackerel +‎ sky. === Noun === mackerel sky (plural mackerel skies) A sky filled with a regular pattern of altocumulus clouds somewhat resembling the skin of a mackerel. 1717, Dictionarium Rusticum, Urbanicum & Botanicum, London: J. Nicholson et al., 2nd edition, “CLOUDS,”[1] […] in a fair day, if the Sky seem to be dappled with white Clouds, which is usually termed, A Mackerel-Sky, it commonly predicts rain: ==== Derived terms ==== mackerel sky and mare's-tails make tall ships carry low sails ==== Translations ====