Anthony Scaramucci said it best:

[George II]

“A fish stinks from the head down.”

The only thing he ever said or did that I agree with.

[riversedge]

1. The real saying is A fish rots from the head down. Meaning if the top man is a rot the ones working

for him will soon rot (and stink) also.

[George II]

2. Yes I know. He got that one wrong, but I didn't want to change what he actually said....

...Daily Kos discussed the expression here:

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/31/1685890/--A-fish-rots-from-the-head-down

" “A fish rots from the head down.” — The stink is merely a result, only a symptom, of the rot."

The stink is a result of the rot, sad that we've already reached the stink phase.

[riversedge]

3. :-) I learned it fishing. we had to gut and salt them and hang them up to dry out. but if not

salted right--my dad would say--look at the fish-its head is starting to rot.you forgot to salt it all, including the head. dah. The fish did indeed rot from the head down (hung by the mouth). more soft tissue in the head. rots easier.