ˌdaddy-ˈlong-legs
[From its very long slender legs.]
a. A popular name for the crane-fly. (Called also father- and Harry-long-legs.) b. A name for Arachnids or spiders of similar appearance, such as those of the genus Phalangium.
| a 1814 Dibdin Quanki Fongo in Univ. Songster II. 58/1 Old daddy longlegs, when he drank his congo. 1840 Westwood tr. Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. 619 These insects are well known under the names of Daddy long-legs, Tailors, &c. 1884 F. J. Lloyd Science Agric. 279 Next to the wireworm the crane fly or daddy-longlegs..is probably most hurtful. |