fly swatter

or fly-swatter, flyswatter

noun

1. a device for killing flies, mosquitoes, and other insects, usually a square sheet of wire mesh attached to a long handle.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fly swatter¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Especially the electronic fly swatter, encased in plastic.

From Los Angeles Times

The firm's marketing manager Sam Baylis shows the BBC the tennis racket-style electrified fly swatter, leaned up against a wall.

From BBC

Words written on the signs and boxes, of various shapes and forms, explain what each represents — including a “fjord” and a “fly swatter” — and with the help of assistants, Guillois, a lithe, clownlike figure, in boxer shorts throughout, manipulates them at lightning speed.

From New York Times

“We don’t like to stand out and be noticed,” says James Bento, 32, a lab technician in Albuquerque who owns a fly swatter sold by the Biden-Harris campaign and two kitchen magnets, one of which says “No Malarkey” and the other in the shape of an ice cream cone emblazoned with the president’s name.

From Washington Post

In a press release on July 7, Mr. Yost said, “Our lives are plagued by robocalls like a swarm of flies. This particular operation prompted more than 1,600 unwanted-call complaints to my office. It’s time to get out the fly swatter.”

From Washington Times