ˈstraddle-bug U.S.
Also straddlebug.
[cf. straddle-bob, straddle n. 8.]
1. A long-legged beetle, esp. Canthon lævis. Also attrib. (similative).
| 1839 Longfellow Hyperion i. vi. (1852) 37 There is one [sketch] on the wall there, which is beautiful, save and except that straddle-bug figure among the bushes. 1862 R. H. Newell Orpheus C. Kerr Papers xx. (1866) 124 Now that I look at him, he reminds me of an old-fashioned straddle-bug. |
2. colloq. A politician who is non-committal or who equivocates; one who ‘straddles’ (sense 6).
| 1872 Kansan (Newton, Kansas) 5 Sept. 2/1 We think it well that the people..not see quite so much of the straddle-bug business carried on by a few. 1896 N.Y. Sun 13 May 1/3 McKinley isn't a gold-bug, McKinley isn't a silver bug, McKinley's a straddle-bug. 1939 Newsweek 21 Aug. 14/2 If we nominate conservative candidates, or lip-service candidates, on a straddlebug platform, I personally..will find it impossible to have any active part in such an unfortunate suicide of the old Democratic party. 1948 Sat. Even. Post 10 July 33/3, I will not support either a conservative or a straddlebug. |