Here’s a glossary of terms relating to the lobster

  • Antennae – the long feelers.
  • Berried female – female lobster with row.
  • Chickens – lobsters under a pound.
  • Coral – see roe.
  • Culls – lobsters with only one claw.
  • Crusher claw – the claw that the lobster uses to crush open its food. This will be the larger claw.
  • Deuces – lobsters from 2 to 3 pounds in size.
  • Halves –  lobsters about a pound and a half.
  • Jumbos – lobsters over 2 1/2 pounds in size.
  • Pincher claw – the claw the lobster uses to eat with. This will be the smaller claw.
  • Quarters – lobsters about a pound and a quarter.
  • Roe – also called “coral” – these dark, unfertilized lobster eggs will turn a bright orange when cooked.
  • Selects – lobsters from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 pounds.
  • Swimmerets – appendages under the tail.
  • Tomalley – the liver or digestive tract of the lobster.

 

Sources:

– Lobster at Home by Jasper White.
– Sea Grant California
– Department of Maine Resources
– Gulf of Maine Research Institute