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

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