earwig

American  

[eer-wig] / ˈɪərˌwɪg /

noun

1. any of numerous elongate, nocturnal insects of the order Dermaptera, having a pair of large, movable pincers at the rear of the abdomen.

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verb (used with object)

earwigged, earwigging

1. to fill the mind of with prejudice by insinuations.

earwig British  

/ ˈɪəˌwɪɡ /

noun

1. any of various insects of the order Dermaptera, esp Forficula auricularia ( common European earwig ), which typically have an elongated body with small leathery forewings, semicircular membranous hindwings, and curved forceps at the tip of the abdomen

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verb

1. informal to eavesdrop

2. archaic (tr) to attempt to influence (a person) by private insinuation

Etymology

Origin of earwig

before 1000; Middle English erwigge, Old English ēarwicga ear insect; from the notion that it enters people's ears. See wiggle

Example Sentences

Which is why, as Nike reaches its golden anniversary, it’s worth considering how the swoosh became the branding earwig of the millennium, tunneling into our brains to colonize our imaginations.

From New York Times • Jun. 15, 2022

Amoia also has a 13-inch moth across his throat and chest, a 2.5-inch beetle over his right eye and a 2.5-inch earwig behind his right ear, according to Guinness.

From Fox News • Feb. 2, 2022

I was finally given a radio, but I wasn't shown how to use it, so I had to earwig on someone else who was having a lesson.

From The Guardian • Jul. 31, 2012

His whole career is an insidious and destructive work of art -- maybe not "termite art," in Manny Farber's oft-misunderstood phrase, but more like earwig art.

From Salon • Jul. 31, 2010

But then there was Carly, looking down at her like she was an earwig.

From "The Lemonade War" by Jacqueline Davies