daddy-longlegs

or dad·dy long·legs

[ dad-ee-lawng-legz, -long- ]

noun

, (used with a singular or plural verb)

1. Also called harvestman. any of numerous spiderlike arachnids of the order Opiliones, having a compact rounded body and extremely long, slender legs.
2. British. a crane fly.

daddy-longlegs

noun

1. an informal name for a crane fly
2. an informal name for harvestman

Word History and Origins

Origin of daddy-longlegs¹

First recorded in 1805–15; daddy + long ¹ + leg + -s ³

Example Sentences

As no one appeared but an inquisitive daddy-longlegs, who examined her work with interest, she went to walk, got caught in a shower, and came home dripping.

From Literature

At night they spent the time rescuing Daddy-longlegs from their candles and rushlights.

From Literature

A warm May was likely to drive an earlier emergence of craneflies, or daddy-longlegs, a key chick food.

From BBC

While Saracens also have some sharp English backs, none are quite like Jonny May, the Cherry and White wing with the hurdler's stride and the elusiveness of a flying daddy-longlegs.

From The Guardian

Jasmine, looking at her, thought that she resembled a daddy-longlegs less nowadays and more one of those wintry flies that survive the first frosts of autumn and spend their time walking up and down window panes in an attempt to suggest that if the window were open they would be out and about, delighting in the brisk wintry weather.

From Project Gutenberg

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