Re: Are spiders insects?

Matthew Huntbach <mmh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote
On Sun, 24 Jun 2007, Al in Dallas wrote:
On Fri, 22 Jun 2007 22:36:09 -0400, tony cooper
<tony_cooper213@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Arcadian Rises <Arcadianrises@xxxxxxx> wrote:

The man wants evidence that spiders are (or aren't) insects,
so you may have to come up with some scientific facts in order
to substantiate whatever the dictionaries define.

He didn't ask for evidence that spiders are (or aren't )
insects. He asked for evidence that people commonly (or ever)
*refer* to them as insects.

If he wants proof, all he need do is call my wife and ask her
which insects she does not like to see in the house. Spiders
will be on the list.

In my experience, non-pedants call all arthropods, except most
crustaceans, "insects." Of course, I'm a pedant.

The same goes for "bugs."

In my English, "bug" has a much more specific meaning - a large
squarish shape beetle.

Shouldn't that phrase "squarish shape" be "squarish-shaped"? How
annoying of you to write it your way instead of my way.

The AmE usage of the word to mean any small
creeping or flying creature annoys me.

Is there nothing about American English usages that doesn't annoy you,
Matthew? Who really gives a flying fart whether you are annoyed by
American English usages? You don't think your annoyance will do
anything to endear you to AmE speakers, do you? You can't be taken
seriously because of your overwhelming prejudice, nay, your linguistic
bigotry.

What do other BrE speakers think the word "bug" means?

"Bug" has too many meanings, even for BrE speakers, for your question
to make sense.

Here is what the Cambridge Advanced English Learner's Dictionary says
about "bug":

[quote]
bug (INSECT) noun [C]
a very small insect
EXAMPLE SENTENCES:
Hang on - there's a bug in your hair - let me get it out for you.

Will this spray get rid of those little black bugs that are attacking
my shrubs?

We lifted the stone to see if there were any bugs or worms underneath.

There was a bug was crawling across the carpet, and the cat ate it!

He used to collect beetles and bugs from the garden and study them
under the microscope.
[/quote]

As you can see from the last example sentence, this UK/BrE dictionary
does not believe that your English contains a broad enough
understanding of the meaning of "bug", even when restricted to the
"insect" forms of "bug".

Here is what the Collins Coubuild Advanced Learner's Dictionary, also a
UK/BrE dictionary, says. Pay particular attention to definition #1:
[quote]
bug
bug bugs bugging bugged
1 A bug is an insect or similar small creature. (INFORMAL)
We noticed tiny bugs that were all over the walls.
N-COUNT usu pl

2 A bug is an illness which is caused by small organisms
such as bacteria. (INFORMAL)
I think I've got a bit of a stomach bug...
...the killer brain bug meningitis.
N-COUNT

3 If there is a bug in a computer program, there is a
mistake in it. (COMPUTING)
There is a bug in the software.
N-COUNT

4 A bug is a tiny hidden microphone which transmits what
people are saying.
There was a bug on the phone.
N-COUNT

5 If someone bugs a place, they hide tiny microphones in
it which transmit what people are saying.
He heard that they were planning to bug his office...
VERB V n

* bug*ging
...an electronic bugging device.
N-UNCOUNT

6 You can say that someone has been bitten by a particular
bug when they suddenly become very enthusiastic about something.
(INFORMAL)
I've definitely been bitten by the gardening bug...
Roundhay Park in Leeds was the place I first got the fishing
bug.
N-SING oft n N

7 If someone or something bugs you, they worry or annoy
you. (INFORMAL)
I only did it to bug my parents.
VERB V n

(c) HarperCollins Publishers.
[/quote]

--
Franke: EFL teacher & medical editor
Native speaker of American English; posting from Taiwan.
"People love a man who can fight and don't take ***." George "Iceman"
Chambers (played by Ving Rhames) in the 2002 movie _Undisputed_

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