flypaper

[ flahy-pey-per ]

noun

1. paper designed to destroy flies fly by catching them on its sticky surface or poisoning them on contact.

flypaper

/ ˈflaɪˌpeɪpə /

noun

1. paper with a sticky and poisonous coating, usually hung from the ceiling to trap flies

Word History and Origins

Origin of flypaper¹

First recorded in 1840–50; fly ¹ + paper

Example Sentences

More begets more, and spending tends to stick at higher levels, which is why the phenomenon is known as “the flypaper effect.”

From The Daily Beast

But they were as impotent as two flies that had rolled in the sticky slime of some super-flypaper.

From Project Gutenberg

He prowls around and challenges man until he comes to the flypaper; he then slinks away.

From Project Gutenberg

President Cleveland—And are you using that flypaper according to directions?

From Project Gutenberg

But he kept on and drew nearer and nearer, breathing hard and gathering flies like a flypaper.

From Project Gutenberg

The agricultural model for instance, which was practicable, proved a kind of flypaper for these busybodies.

From Project Gutenberg