subs. (common).—1. A red or hard-dried herring. Further explained by quotations. Also SOLDIER, ATLANTIC RANGER and GLASGOW MAGISTRATE.
1873. Cassell’s Magazine, Jan., p. 245, Very large quantities of cured herrings came from North Britain at that time, and, excepting those from the Firth of Forth, they were more cured, dryer and salter than those from Norfolk. Some were sent very dry indeed, as hard as a stick, and of a very deep red colour; such were used, as similar fish now are, for exportation. About the time of the gold discoveries, some one applied the term CALIFORNIAN to these. The word was appropriate, and CALIFORNIANS such highly-coloured herrings are called to this day.
2. [Generally used in the plural—CALIFORNIANS.] Generic for gold pieces.
