earwig

[ eer-wig ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of numerous elongate, nocturnal insects of the order Dermaptera, having a pair of large, movable pincers at the rear of the abdomen.

, ear·wigged, ear·wig·ging.

earwig

/ ˈɪəˌwɪɡ /

any of various insects of the order Dermaptera, esp Forficula auricularia ( common European earwig ), which typically have an elongated body with small leathery forewings, semicircular membranous hindwings, and curved forceps at the tip of the abdomen

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Origin of earwig¹

before 1000; Middle English erwigge, Old English ēarwicga ear insect; from the notion that it enters people's ears. See wiggle

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Origin of earwig¹

Old English ēarwicga, from ēare ear ¹+ wicga beetle, insect; probably from a superstition that the insect crept into human ears

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That said, it seems that if earwigs were regularly holed up in ears, science would have more evidence of it.

As a kid, you might have first encountered earwigs as a kind of playground mythological creature.

(i) Reincarnation, as an earwig, or a Hottentot, or an emperor.

I cannot really believe I am going to be an earwig or an emperor.

What shall I, this Me, do when I am an earwig or an emperor?

The care of the earwig not only extends to her eggs, but also to her young larv.

A name which excites anything but agreeable associations is Earwig.

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