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

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

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

From The Guardian • Jan. 20, 2013

It seemed heavy with the weight of its own folklore: chover, billywitch, bummler, doodlebug, mitchamador, midsomerdor, may-bug, June-bug.

From The Guardian • Jun. 5, 2012

He stands at the back of his doodlebug, put-putting along at four to twelve miles an hour.

From Time Magazine Archive

Then to himself he muttered: "An' that doodlebug Billy Jordan thinkin' he knowed more about th' Panhandle than me!"

From Hopalong Cassidy's Rustler Round-Up by Mulford, Clarence Edward