Ohrwurm

Meaning

1. (masculine, strong) earwig (any insect of the order Dermaptera)
2. (informal, masculine, strong) earworm (a tune that pops up in one's memory all of the time)

Concepts

earwig

earworm

Dermaptera

earcatcher

catchy tune

earbuds

musical itch

earwigs

Synonyms

Ohrenkriecher

Hit

Schlager

Gassenhauer

Ohrenkneifer

Ohrkneifer

Dermaptera

Ohrwürmer

Tausendfüssler

Ohrenzwicker

Dermapteron

Translations

tijereta

oorworm

forficule

perce-oreille

oorwurm

forfecchia

forbicina

dermaptère

forfícula

Forficula auricularia

δερματόπτερα

pince-oreille

Dialects

Basel-Landschaft

ooregriibler

Data provided by: Deutsch-Schweizerdeutsches Wörterbuch

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈoːrˌvʊrm/

Etymology

From Ohr (“ear”) + Wurm (“worm”). In ancient times, dried and ground animals of the order Dermaptera were used to treat ear diseases, which resulted in the Late Latin name auricula. Later the name was in error explained as “worm that enters the ear”.