What does "fish" mean on the side of a truck?

February 4, 2005 8:53 PM

FishFilter? Why do some refrigerated trucks display the word "FISH" in big red letters? Used to see it a lot in Texas. Have never seen it in California. Big ol' mystery. Is it an acronym? A bad-smell warning? WTF???
posted by mudpuppie to travel & transportation (6 comments total)

This article says, "Legislation passed in 1985 after a ban on commercial redfish catches required vehicles transporting fresh fish to be marked by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department code."
posted by LeiaS at 9:44 PM on February 4, 2005

I may not recall this correctly, but my impression is that Sysco was experiencing a rash of trailer theft/break-ins and to combat the theft they began labeling their trucks FISH to discourage such acts.

Don't know if you've ever run into the folks who'll come up to you in a grocery store parking lot and ask if you'd like to purchase steaks or meat, but those are usually the sort who have broken into the trailers. Also, the very same people will show up at the service entrance of a restaurant with similar offers trying to sell items often clearly marked as being from the same purveyor the restaurant already does business with.
posted by sillygit at 9:52 PM on February 4, 2005

Wow, thanks LeiaS. My googling missed this. Tonight, I can sleep.
posted by mudpuppie at 10:43 AM on February 5, 2005

Don't know if you've ever run into the folks who'll come up to you in a grocery store parking lot and ask if you'd like to purchase steaks or meat, but those are usually the sort who have broken into the trailers.

whoa. can i just say this is totally awesome?

i'm just picturing some dude popping his trunk and being all "hey -- psst -- wanna buy a brisket?"

posted by fishfucker at 3:43 PM on February 5, 2005

i'm just picturing some dude popping his trunk and being all "hey -- psst -- wanna buy a brisket?"

There is a company out there that does something similar with stereo speakers. They pretend to be out on delivery and somehow an "extra" set of speakers ended up on the truck, and they hope to cut you a "deal" off the books.

In reality, it is actually their business model.
posted by kreinsch at 5:52 AM on February 8, 2005

There is a company out there that does something similar with stereo speakers. They pretend to be out on delivery and somehow an "extra" set of speakers ended up on the truck, and they hope to cut you a "deal" off the books.

yeah, the white van scam.

i've met these people at least twice, and have met at least one person who has bought speakers from them.

everybody wants to get a "steal" -- that's just good marketing.
posted by fishfucker at 3:37 PM on February 14, 2005