lobster (English)

Where does "lobster" come from?

The English word 'lobster' descends from the Middle English 'loppestere'[1], which itself comes from the Old English 'loppestre'[1][4]. The ultimate origin of this term remains uncertain[1]. One prominent theory suggests it is a corruption of the Latin word 'lō̆custa', meaning 'grasshopper' or 'locust', combined with the Old English feminine agent suffix '-estre'[1][2]. In Latin, the phrase 'lō̆custa marīna' literally meant 'sea grasshopper' and was used to describe crustaceans[1]. Another possibility proposes that the term derives from the Old English word 'lobbe' or 'loppe', meaning 'spider', paired with the same feminine agent suffix[1][2].

Open questions

• The origin of the Old English term loppestre is uncertain, with competing theories suggesting either a corruption of Latin locusta or a combination of Old English lobbe with a suffix. [1] [2]

Full etymology tree

• lobster (English), 'Red-colored, especially from a sunburn.'
  • inherited loppestere (Middle English), 'A lobster or crayfish.'
    • inherited loppestre (Old English), 'lobster'

Ancestors

• loppestere (Middle English)
• loppestre (Old English)
• locusta (Latin)
• lobbe (Old English)

Sources

1. lobster (English) - Wiktionary
2. loppestre (Old English) - Wiktionary
3. locusta (Latin) - Wiktionary
4. loppestere (Middle English) - Wiktionary

Updated October 2026

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Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris