earwig (English)
Where does "earwig" come from?
The word 'earwig' traces back to the Old English 'ēarwicga,' a compound of 'ēare' (ear) and 'wicga' (insect). It was named for the insect's hindwings, which were thought to resemble the shape of a human ear when unfolded. Over time, the term also metaphoricaly evolved to describe a malicious whisperer or a flatterer.
Full etymology tree
- earwig (English), 'Any of various insects of the order Dermaptera that have elongated bodies, large membranous wings folded underneath short leathery forewings and a pair of large pincers protruding from the rear of the abdomen.'
- inherited erwigge (Middle English), 'earwig'
- inherited ēarwicga (Old English), 'an earwig or worm'
- compound ēare (Old English), 'ear (organ of hearing)'
- inherited *auʀā (Proto-West Germanic), 'ear'
- inherited *ausô (Proto-Germanic), 'ear'
- inherited *h₂ṓws (Proto-Indo-European), 'ear'
- derived *h₂ew- (Proto-Indo-European), 'to enjoy'
- inherited *h₂ṓws (Proto-Indo-European), 'ear'
- inherited *ausô (Proto-Germanic), 'ear'
- inherited *auʀā (Proto-West Germanic), 'ear'
- compound wicga (Old English), 'insect'
- derived wicg- (Old English)
- derived *weganą (Proto-Germanic), 'to move, to carry'
- inherited *wéǵʰeti (Proto-Indo-European), 'to be transporting'
- derived *weǵʰ- (Proto-Indo-European), 'to bring'
- inherited *wéǵʰeti (Proto-Indo-European), 'to be transporting'
- derived *weganą (Proto-Germanic), 'to move, to carry'
- derived wicg- (Old English)
- compound ēare (Old English), 'ear (organ of hearing)'
- inherited ēarwicga (Old English), 'an earwig or worm'
- inherited erwigge (Middle English), 'earwig'
Direct ancestors
Updated July 2026
Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris