sand hopper

American  

noun

1. beach flea.

---

sand hopper British  

noun

1. Also called: beach flea.   sand flea.  any of various small hopping amphipod crustaceans of the genus Orchestia and related genera, common in intertidal regions of seashores

---

Etymology

Origin of sand hopper

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

But exceptionally, they also mines the Cape beaches for sand hoppers and mussels—just as our human ancestors in the area did 100,000 years ago.

From National Geographic

Smith says Martin fell into a sand hopper about 12 feet deep and 20 feet long.

From Washington Times

Most members of the amphipod group are small, typified by the species many of us are likely to have encountered: the sand hoppers which ping out of disturbed seaweed on the beach.

From BBC

The researchers repeated the experiment with other insects, including flatworms, ants, and sand hoppers, and the manmade nano-suit protected them all.

From Science Magazine

"Oh, I want to see some!" cried Vi, and then Margy and Mun Bun dug until they found some "sand hoppers," for the other children.

From Project Gutenberg