Peeckelhaeringh, or Pekelharing, refers to an old Dutch word for pickled herring.

Today it is best known as the name of a comic theatrical character who was the subject of a painting by Frans Hals.

A stock character in 17th-century comic plays, Mr. Peeckelhaering was a gluttonous buffoon whose diet of herring gave him an insatiable thirst.

His rough hair sticks out from beneath a flat red cap with yellow trimming.

Under the name "Peeckelhaering" pictures are mentioned in the inventories of Henric Bugge, Leyden, 1666; Hendrick Huyck, Nymwegen, January 10, 1669; and Jan Zeeuw and Marie Bergervis, who died 1690, Amsterdam according to notes by A. Bredius.

[2]A reproductive print of Hals's painting made by the local engraver Jonas Suyderhoef was published with a poem declaring that "Mr. Peeckelhaering's wet lips show how he enjoys a fresh mug of beer because his throat is always dry."