fishocracy n DC ~ Nfld 1, 2 (1878, 1940). The mercantile class, esp the merchants of St John's engaged in the export of cod-fish and the supplying of fishermen.
   1878 TOCQUE 86 The mercantile class is the only one who accumulate wealth in large amounts, hence. like the 'Colonocracy' [i.e. cod-fish aristocracy] of Boston, the 'Fishocracy' of St John's exert a great influence over all the other classes of the community. 1954 INNIS 387 The 'fishocracy' comprised, in descending order: (1) the principal merchants, high officials, and some lawyers, and medical men; (2) small merchants, important shopkeepers, lawyers, doctors and secondary officials; (3) grocers, master mechanics, and schooner holders; and (4) fishermen. 1971 NOEL 21 There was still [c1870] no substantial middle class: a gross inequality of wealth continued to separate the upper class of merchants, the 'fishocracy,' from the lower class of fishermen. The credit structure of the fishery was unchanged: the city of St John's was still the financial as well as the political capital, its relationship to the outports being that of creditor to debtor.

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