doodlebug

¹ American  

[dood-l-buhg] / ˈdud lˌbʌg /

noun

1. the larva of an antlion.

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doodlebug ² American  

[dood-l-buhg] / ˈdud lˌbʌg /

noun

1. any of various small, squat vehicles.

2. a divining rod or similar device supposedly useful in locating underground water, oil, minerals, etc.

3. British Informal. buzz bomb.

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doodlebug British  

/ ˈduːdəlˌbʌɡ /

noun

1. another name for the V-1

2. a diviner's rod

3. a US name for antlion

4. any of certain insect larvae that resemble the antlion

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Etymology

Origin of doodlebug¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; doodle ¹ + bug ¹

Origin of doodlebug²

First recorded in 1865–70; special use of doodlebug ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

doodlebug

While stationed in Liverpool as a Royal Air Force physical training instructor, a doodlebug landed near Max, perforating his eardrums and leading to a spell laid up in hospital.

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2019

Football carried on during that war and the club would have games stopped when a doodlebug went across.

From The Guardian ● May 13, 2017

In June 1944, George Orwell's flat in Mortimer Crescent was destroyed by a doodlebug.

From The Guardian ● Jan. 20, 2013

Not so dangerous as "big iron" racing, the chief problem of the doodlebug driver is keeping his jealously guarded fuel mixture a secret.

From Time Magazine Archive

That old doodlebug only thinks of the silly specimens that he is going to collect down here.

From The White Waterfall by Dwyer, James Francis