doodlebug

See also: doodle-bug

English

Doodlebug (def. 3), an antlion larva

Etymology

doodle + bug

Noun

doodlebug (plural doodlebugs)

  1. (informal, Britain) The V-1 flying bomb.
    • 2009: "The masterpiece that killed George Orwell" by Robert McCrum
      Soon after Richard was adopted, Orwell's flat was wrecked by a doodlebug.
  2. (informal) A term of endearment.
  3. (entomology) An antlion larva (Myrmeleontidae).
  4. (historical, "doodlebug tractor") An automobile converted into a cheap tractor for a small farm during the Second World War.
  5. (informal) A slackard or time-waster.
  6. (informal) An idiot.
  7. (informal) Someone who draws constantly.
  8. (informal) A divining rod or similarly intended device.
  9. (obsolete) Individual self-propelled train cars.
  10. (regional, entomology) A woodlouse.
    • 2018 June 25, “Pillbugs”, in Niles Biological, Inc.:
      Common names for woodlice vary throughout the English-speaking world. They include roly-poly, pill bug (usually applied only to the genus Armadillidium), sow bug, doodle bug, carpenter (Newfoundland), [] cheesybug (Kent), and cheeselog.

Translations

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