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On the Etymology of 鮮

Henshall says that, in 鮮, 魚 means “fish,” while 羊 means “sheep.” No surprises so far. But now it gets strange: 羊 lends connotations of “fine” here. (Huh? How?) A “fine fish” is essentially a fresh fish, which has come to mean “fresh” in general. “Clear” and “vivid” are extended meanings.

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