father longlegs

English

Noun

father longlegs (plural father longlegs)

  1. (dated) A daddy longlegs.
    • 1742, Henry Baker, The Microscope Made Easy: or […] ‎[1]:
      The Crane-Fly, called by Aldrovand Culex maximus, by Swammerdam Tipula terrestris, and by the common People Father-long-Legs, affords, in every Part of it, agreeable Subjects of Examination
    • 1806, The British Critic‎[2]:
      The fly produced from the grub in question is known by the common names of Tom Taylor, Tommy Longlegs, or Father Longlegs
    • 1928, Beckford, William, The Travel-Diaries of William Beckford of Fonthill‎[3]:
      Such a glare […] was as sure to excite notice and attract passengers, as a flaming candle every moth and father-longlegs in its neighbourhood.

References

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