“Just for the halibut” is a euphemism for “just for the hell of it.” “Let’s go fishin’—just for the halibut (helofit)” was cited in print in May 1941. The saying is popular in Alaska (where halibut is caught), but the euphemism has also been used in areas and situations that have nothing to do with the fish.
25 May 1941, Ogden (UT) Standard-Examiner, “Sol’s Sunshine and Shadow,” pg. 11-A, col. 5:
Let’s go fishin’—just for the halibut (helofit).
17 August 1944, Canton (OH) Repository, pg. 6, col. 7:
DEEP SEA-CRET!
The President reveals that he
Played hookey, about ship at sea;
The secret’s out, the case is shut,
He went just for the halibut!
By, Jiminy
14 December 1944, The Oregnian (Portland, OR), ‘Poor Mr. DeMille,” pg. 15, col. 2:
The man is practically a pauper. I feel sorry for the man. I think I’ll send him some fish. Just for the halibut.
M. LUCAS, Garibaldi.
Google News Archive
19 December 1961, Spokane (WA) Daily Chronicle, Ann Landers syndicated column, pg. 11, col. 6:
DEAR D.J.: Not necessarily. Maybe she did it just for the halibut.
Google News Archive
18 October 1963, The Daily Union Democrat (Sonora, CA), Ann Landers syndicated column, pg. 4, col. 3:
Dear Enuff: You bet there is something fishy about this guy. No girl should tie herself up for seven months just for the halibut.
OCLC WorldCat record
Alaskan halibut recipes
Author: Nanci A Morris
Publisher: Anchorage : Flatfish Publications, ©1988.
Edition/Format: Book : English
Other Titles: Just for the halibut
OCLC WorldCat record
Fish tails and other lies
Author: Derrek J Sigler
Dissertation: Thesis (M.A.)—Northern Michigan University, 2001.
Edition/Format: Thesis/dissertation : Thesis/dissertation : Manuscript Archival Material : English
Contents: Just for the halibut—
OCLC WorldCat record
Sarah Palin’s Alaska
Author: Gia Galligani; David Pritikin; Weskings (Musical group); One Three, Inc.; Gaiam Media.; All authors
Publisher: [Boulder, CO] : GAIAM ; [United States] : TLC, ©2011.
Edition/Format: DVD video : NTSC color broadcast system : English : Anamorphic widescreen
Summary:
Takes viewers into the country’s ‘final frontier’ through the eyes of one of its most famous citizens - Sarah Palin. Sarah is joined by various family members as she shares the state she knows and loves. Along with Alaska’s great wilderness, the Palins encounter Alaska’s fascinating residents and share what it takes to thrive in the country’s largest state.
Contents: Disc 1. Mama grizzly ; Just for the halibut
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
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