¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Earwigging
1. earwig [v] - See also: earwig
Lexicographical Neighbors of Earwigging
Literary usage of Earwigging
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. The Lancet (1842)
"... of eloquence called earwigging. The slanders and calumnies against the honour
and ability of ibe general practitioner, of which these whispers ire made ..."
2. The Social Welfare Forum: Official Proceedings [of The] Annual Meeting by Conference of Charities and Correction (U.S.), National Conference on Social Welfare, American Social Science Association, National Conference of Social Work (U.S.) (1886)
"As the work is now done, the pardoning business is carried on mainly by earwigging.
At the governor's office, at his residence, on the streets, in the cars, ..."
3. Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine (1860)
"... and a good deal of delicate negotiation ¡ind private earwigging was practised,
which hardly would have stood the test of a rigid investigation before a ..."
4. Macmillan's Magazine by David Masson, George Grove, John Morley, Mowbray Morris (1885)
"Land-jobbers, railway jobbers, political intriguers,. are hard at work in earwigging
politicians, getting hold of editors,. and rousing the pious rage of ..."
5. The Gentleman's Magazine (1875)
"... “none of your earwigging, you two. I know what you think of me, and I care
that for it,” and be snapped his fingers over his head with the crack of a ..."
6. A Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant: Embracing English, American, and Anglo by Charles Godfrey Leland (1889)
"earwigging (common), a rebuke in private. Is said of a sneaking, tattling
fellow-employ^ who carries little trifling errors on the part of others to the ..."
7. The slang dictionary: Etymological, Historical, and Anecdotal by John Camden Hotten (1874)
"earwigging, a private conversation ; a rebuke in private ; an attempt to defame
another unfairly, and without chance of appeal ; a WIGGING is more public. ..."
8. The Comic History of England by Gilbert Abbott À Beckett (1894)
"Cranmer, though not allowed a public disputation with the pope, took every
opportunity of earwigging the people about him, and got many of them to admit ..."
Other Resources:
Frisian