What is the origin of the term 'kettle of fish'?

Linus

Linus says: What is the origin of the expression 'a different kettle of fish'? A 'kettle' is, in origin, any deep pan for boiling food in water. A fish-kettle is a large, two-handed, oval saucepan, long enough to take a salmon full-length. In Scotland parties were held at the riverside to cook and eat salmon and so a 'pretty kettle of fish' ironically refers to a picnic that gets out of hand and a 'different kettle of fish' is a separate affair, like 'a whole new ball game'. See Brewer, Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, fourteenth edition. Thu Jan 23 14:29:51 CST 2003 (Delete Entry) (Reposted to fix characters - McG) Jan 28 03, 6:13 AM