neither fish nor fowl
1 of 1phrase/ˈniðər fɪʃ nɔr faʊl/
1
used to describe a person or thing that is hard to describe or classify
The idiom "neither fish nor fowl" has origins in Old English and Middle English literature, but its specific source is not well-documented. It is used to describe something or someone that does not fit into a specific category, is difficult to categorize, or lacks clear characteristics of any particular type.
- Medical interns are neither fish nor fowl.They are neither students nor fully qualified practitioners.
- The new hybrid car model is neither fish nor fowl; it doesn't strictly belong to the electric or gasoline categories.
- Her unique style of art is neither fish nor fowl in the art world, making it challenging to define or categorize.
- The product's marketing campaign was a bit of both traditional and modern strategies, making it neither fish nor fowl.
- The building's architectural design was neither fish nor fowl, blending several different styles to create something distinctive yet challenging to categorize.