conner n also cunner [phonetics unavailable]. OED cunner b (Nfld: 1620-); DAE cunner (1672-), conner (1685-). The blue perch (Tautogolabrus adspersus), a bottom-feeding fish of inshore waters, esp common around wharves and 'stages'; with defining word sly, and in phr sly as a conner; JACKY CONNER, TOM(MY) CONNER.
   [1620] 1887 MASON 152 What should I speake of Flownders, Crabbes, Cunners, Catfish, Millers, thunnes &c. 1907 MILLAIS 149 There are many other excellent fish ... such as ... wrasse (conors). 1965 Evening Telegram 5 May, p. 8 In addition to well rotted compost, I have added from time to time a little 6-12-12 fertilizer to my rhubarb bed ... and occasionally when I had a few conners; or flat fish too small to be filletted, I have buried them whole. P 126-67 ~ an orange and green coloured salt water fish—similar in size to a rose fish—caught by boys around old wharves, etc. C 70-10 One fish that we would always catch had a thorny bone running down its back and we called this fish a conner. We would never eat this fish. C 71-127 He's as sly as a conner (describing a person you couldn't trust). P 40-78 Sly conners.

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