Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- n. Any of various elongate insects of the order Dermaptera, having a pair of pincerlike appendages protruding from the rear of the abdomen.
- v. To attempt to influence by persistent confidential argument or talk.
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. The popular English name of all the cursorial orthopterous insects of the family Forficulidæ, representing the suborder Euplexoptera, which has several genera and numerous species. There is a popular notion that these insects creep into the ear and cause injury to it. They are mostly nocturnal and phytophagous, though some are carnivorous. They have filiform, many-jointed antennæ, short, veinless, leathery upper wings, under wings folded both lengthwise and crosswise, anal forceps, and no ocelli. The common earwig is Forficula auricularis; the great earwig is Labidura gigantea; the little earwig is Labia minor. Another species is Spongophora brunneipennis.
- n. In the United States, the common name of any of the small centipeds, such as are found in houses in most of the States.
- n. One who gains the ear of another by stealth and whispers insinuations; a prying informer; a whisperer.
- To gain the ear of and influence by covert statements or insinuations; whisper insinuations in the ear of against another; fill the mind of with prejudice by covert statements.
Wiktionary
- n. Any of various insects of the order Dermaptera that have elongated bodies, large membranous wings folded underneath short leathery forewings and a pair of large pincers protruding from the rear of the abdomen.
- v. To fill the mind of with prejudice by insinuations.
- v. To attempt to influence by persistent confidential argument or talk.
- v. To eavesdrop.
GNU Webster's 1913
- n. Any insect of the genus Forficula and related genera, belonging to the order Dermaptera (formerly Euplexoptera). They have elongated bodies and a prominent pair of curved pincers at the rear of their abdomen.
- n. In America, any small chilopodous myriapod, esp. of the genus Geophilus. See Geophilus
- n. A whisperer of insinuations; a secret counselor.
- v. To influence, or attempt to influence, by whispered insinuations or private talk.
WordNet 3.0
- n. any of numerous insects of the order Dermaptera having elongate bodies and slender many-jointed antennae and a pair of large pincers at the rear of the abdomen
Etymologies
- Middle English erwig, from Old English ēarwicga : ēare, ear; see ear1 + wicga, insect; see wegh- in Indo-European roots.
Examples
“The name "earwig" itself is sufficiently puzzling, but "coach-bell" seems, if possible, still more utterly unintelligible.”
“Biological method, involves the use of natural predators such as earwig, green muscardine fungus, and white muscardine fungus to paralyze and eventually kill the pest.”
“When it comes to the debates, he will need an 'earwig' so he can be fed answers like on that game show movie.”
“Foodies will appreciate the two-person booths opposite the open kitchen where you can earwig on the chefs as they work their way through the service.”
“If all of God's creatures have a useful purpose — a rightful place, as it were — on this planet, then someone please explain to me just what the hell kind of purpose God had in mind for the earwig.”
“I actually can't picture what an earwig looks like, but I can see why you hate them.”
“I shall have to wiki an earwig, as I'm not sure what they are!!!”
“But what in the blue hell does an earwig do besides gross me out?”
“Unfortunately they also stuck this earwig in my ear to be prepared, so I got to hear your whole interview with Colin Firth.”
“I sat in the back and literally white-knuckled on the seat because I was terrified that an earwig was going to get me.”
Green Lantern: Interview With Tricia Helfer » DVDs Worth Watching
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘earwig’.
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Public List: Body Metaphors
Phrases that use body parts metaphorically.
neck of the woods, bone of contention, mouth of a river, teeth of the storm, heart of the matter, foot of the bed, eye of the storm, dogleg hole, finger lakes, headwaters, foothills, knik arm and 212 more...
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Gapeseeds and Muckworms - Compound Derogatives
A list of compound derogatory names such as gapeseed, muckworm and lickspittle. Your one-word contributions to this list are welcome.
See sionnach's list derogatory terms I should use ...gapeseed, muckworm, lickspittle, makeweight, bootlicker, backscratcher, apple-polisher, backslapper, brownnoser, rakeshame, yesman, freeloader and 237 more...
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Things We've Seen Moved By Ants
A list of things you've observed ants moving to and fro.
earwig, lacewing, sugar, catfood crumbs, leaf cuttings, grasshopper, spider, katydid, caterpillar, moth, butterfly, dirt and 13 more...

hernesheir Once called a battle-twig in Derbyshire; arrawiggle in East Anglia; and clip-shears, cochbell, ermit, gavelock, gewlick and gallacher in Scotland. May 10, 2011
hernesheir Today I observed a pair of ants struggling and tugging an earwig through the grass by its face and a front leg, along a trail to their anthill. Nature's economy. Mar 8, 2011
bilby British slang - "earwig - Verb. To eavesdrop. E.g.'If you heard things said about you that you didn't like, then you shouldn't be earwigging into conversations.'"
- peevish.co.uk Sep 23, 2008
chained_bear Wow.
Kewpid, I really want to find out what they call earwig poo so I can add it to my Specific Excrement list. Jan 14, 2008
kewpid How to measure earwig poo?
How to know how much they do?
Are there scales to measure it
Those tiny piles of earwig shit?
—Barry Kent (Sue Townsend) Jan 14, 2008
reesetee Ewwwww! I hate this little devil! Jul 11, 2007
slumry earmuff? Jul 11, 2007