Who ever told you veggies eat fish?

Question

Can all the people who claim that veggies eat fish please quote a credible source.

Real dictionaries ( not the on-line unmoderated ones ) always have a definition that amounts to veggies don't eat meat, fish or poultry.

So I have no clue why so many people get confused.

Nataanat: So, if you think being ased if you eat chicken is a mis-conception, why do you not understand that you saying you are a veggie is so upsetting for veggies. There is a word for your diet, peski-something - can't remember. But i'd sure go and find out if i was one, i wouldn't just use another word.

If I believed that Jesus was the son go a god, but couldn't remember the word Christian,would it be ok for me to say "I'm a muslim"...no, definitions of words are there to help us understand and communicate, not to make up and change as we see fit.

natanat: I also note that you haven't quoted a credible source for your mis-use of the english language

Can some of you please read the question, and sub-comments.

There is no point is telling me "guilty as charged" or "some veggies eat fish", thats just increasing the problem.

What does it say about you if you are a meat eater that doesn't eat read meat or poulty, and yet call yourself a veggie ? Its either that you don't understand the concept of definitions of words and language, or that you don't care about the dietry beliefies you claim to be associated with, or you have no respect for "real" vegetarians. One one of them is not a good place to be.

Now would be a great time for you to improve, now that the topic is fresh in your mind, take the opportunity.

If I ate a cow, can I call mysef veggie ? Of course not, because ITS AN ANIMAL, no different to fish.

Pescetarians are not 'vegetarians who eat fish'.

They are people that exclude meat and poultry from thier diet.

Sophie, I like your considered answer, thanks for that.

I don't even this any of this is a moral debate, its about using the english language in the way it has evolved so we can communicate clearly and accurately.

My English is not great, I admit that, but at least if someone points I have used the wrong word I will try to correct myself in the future, not just ignore them and continue with my own version of Espirato ;-)

....I'm starting to calm down now that a few of the V&V stalwarts have provided answers - cheers.

News just in: I haven't eaten fish, or a fish supplement for over 26 years and I appear to be still alive, if a tad unbalanced.

Answer 1

The people who think that usually know a few people who claim to be vegetarian (for the status) but eat fish, and if they're not clued up on vegetarian/vegan issues they'll just accept that at face value. Some meat-eaters only know about vegetarianism what people tell them. They won't bother looking it up in the dictionary.

It's all too common now. Many of these pescatarians have been veggies before, but then reintroduced fish and were reluctant to let go of the title. And they get all defensive, like "Yeah my DOCTOR told me to eat it", like they don't have a mind of their own, or that makes the fish somehow less of a dead creature. Whatever. Do what you want. Just don't call yourself a vegetarian.

Dave (below), you could just say "I don't eat any meat but fish"?

Answer 2

I don't think many people understand the term of veggie as encompassing eating fish. I think it comes down to trying to explain to others what you eat in the simplest way possible rather than being accurate or explaining your motivations. Most people these days understand what vegetarianism is so it is a good starting point. However not everyone understands what vegan is (maybe my own genration does but not my parents') and they certainly would look blank when confronted with pescitarianism (correct spelling?). People are veggie (or peskie) for so many different reasons - it gets tiring having to have a big moral debate explaining your motivations and/or beliefs everytime you just want to simple say what you can or cannot eat. But that said, it is good to debate these things.

Answer 3

I agree with you, it is strange that people are so confused. As a vegan, I make certain people know exactly what that means - I don't consume, use or wear any animal derived products because I want to live a cruelty free lifestyle. If someone wants to call themselves a vegetarian, they must adhere to the ideaology that the term promotes, i.e. not consuming the flesh of any living thing, including fish.

It annoys me that people are mislabelling themselves leading others to try to feed real vegetarians and vegans stuff they wouldn't touch if they were paid!

As for the health benefits of eating fish, I'm currently eating a green salad with flax oil on it, more Omega 3 than you can shake a stick at and none of it the result of the death of anything!

Answer 4

Hi Michael,
It is laughable and grim at the same time!!! You could maybe understand if your Nanna or some old great Aunt did not understand the concept properly. They probably read it in The Bero (a British recipie tradition) book c1940/a ladybird book of foods of the world for bought for 2d or watched a Chormondly-Warner style public info film "I say becareful Hannah, don't put your fork there you are a vegetarian, it is a pork chop!!! Oh I say here is cook with a spiffing piece of cod, tuck in now, there's a love!!!"

But in the 21st century how can anyone even THINK we eat fish or poultry let alone put this kind of twaddle in an internet dictionary!!!!

Answer 5

i havent eaten fish scince i knew it was fish (long story i ate quorn ham when i was little and i knew we didnt eat meat so i assumed the fish wasnt meat i was only 7)

people get confused becuase lots of people eat fish and say they are vegetarian
so people think that you can be vegetarian and eat fish if you want
but you cant

who uses a dictionary anyway thay are confusing and use long words

Answer 6

I've heard of people who eat fish in addition to an otherwise vegetarian (not vegan) diet call themselves "veg-aquarians"

Answer 7

There are different terms for the different types of vegetarians...the most common being vegetarian and vegan obviously. As most people wouldn't know the other term's, it's often easier just to call yourself a vegetarian, so people actually know what you're talking about!

I am a "vegetarian" but I don't drink cow's milk, and I do eat fish...I'm not even sure if there's a proper term for what I am, but vegetarian is just the easiest option when talking to someone who's not in the "know".

The best misconception I've had recently was when I told someone I was a vegetarian, and they said "do you eat chicken?".

Answer 8

Vegans purely eat culmination and vegetables and soy products. No meats or Dairy. i think of eating that way is merely as you purely placed it, eating greater healthy. Why ought to they be put in a particular type?

Answer 9

Vegetarians don't eat fish ! Last time I looked a fish was Not a vegetable !
Pescatarians eat fish !

Answer 10

It really annoys me when people say they are veggie but say 'oh but I eat fish' WHAT!!!! So how's a fish not a living creature!! I was a veggie fo many years and my way of thinking was if it had a face you didn't eat it!!