a general name often used for species of fish in the extensive family Carangidae. These are surface swimmers, with a coloration designed to help them evade detection by predators: blue-green backs and silvery undersides. They almost all inhabit tropical or subtropical waters. Size varies considerably, but relatively narrow bodies are standard. See also horse mackerel; scad; trevally; pompano; amberjack.
The reason for the name is unclear, and it does not translate directly into other languages. The name jack is also applied in a more specific way to some of the carangid species, notably:
Alan Davidson was a distinguished author and publisher, and one of the world's best-known writers on fish and fish cookery. In 1975 he retired early from the diplomatic service—after serving in, among other places, Washington, Egypt, Tunisia, and Laos, where he was British Ambassador—to pursue a fruitful second career as a food historian and food writer extraordinaire. Among his popular books are Seafood of South-East Asia, North Atlantic Seafood, and Mediterranean Seafood. In 2003, shortly before his death, he was awarded the Erasmus Prize for his contribution to European culture.
