Sardines and pilchards are names for small, oily fish that belong to the herring family. The word “sardine” first appeared in English in the early 15th century. It may come from the Italian island of Sardinia, where these fish were once thought to be plentiful.
The terms “sardine” and “pilchard” can mean different things in different areas. For instance, in the United Kingdom, the Sea Fish Industry Authority defines sardines as young pilchards. Generally, fish that are shorter than 15 cm are considered sardines, while larger fish are called pilchards.
