earwig
earwig Lexical Profile
earwig Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An elongated insect of the order Dermaptera, characterized by a pair of forcep-like pincers (cerci) on its abdomen.
"When she lifted the damp garden log, an earwig quickly scurried away into the dark soil."
British A person who attempts to influence someone by secretly whispering insinuations, or who eavesdrops on private conversations.
"The naive young king was surrounded by earwigs who constantly fed him malicious rumors about his rivals."
• verb
British To secretly listen to a private conversation.
"I could not help but earwig on their fascinating discussion at the adjacent table."
British To attempt to influence (someone) by persistently whispering insinuations or private requests.
"He spent the entire corporate retreat earwigging the manager in hopes of securing a promotion."
Word Nuance & Usage
While universally known globally as a common garden insect, 'earwig' is also used in British colloquial English as a verb meaning to eavesdrop or persistently pester someone in private.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'ēarwicga', from 'ēare' (ear) and 'wicga' (insect, beetle). The name derives from the ancient, unfounded European superstition that these insects crawled into the ears of sleeping humans to bore into their brains or lay eggs.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.