earwig

[ eer-wig ]

noun

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

verb (used with object)

, ear·wigged, ear·wig·ging.

1. to fill the mind of with prejudice by insinuations.

earwig

/ ˈɪəˌwɪɡ /

noun

1. 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

verb

1. informal.
   to eavesdrop
2. archaic.
   tr to attempt to influence (a person) by private insinuation

Word History and Origins

Origin of earwig¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of earwig¹

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

Example Sentences

They also showed that about 30% of the seeds excreted by woodlice and earwigs remained viable.

From Science Magazine

"Parental care has marked impacts on immunity and microbiome, such as the transfer of core microbes essential for offspring survival as observed in earwigs, burying beetles, African clawed frogs and mice," the authors write.

From Salon

A: Go out with your flashlight at night, and I can almost guarantee you that you’ll find earwigs are the culprits.

From Seattle Times

Which is why, as Nike reaches its golden anniversary, it’s worth considering how the swoosh became the branding earwig of the millennium, tunneling into our brains to colonize our imaginations.

From New York Times

“Who wanted to eat a lobster or a crab? Why not a stinkbug or an earwig?”

From Literature