devil's darning needle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowDialectal / Archaic / Informal
Quick answer
What does “devil's darning needle” mean?
A dialectal or folk name for a dragonfly or damselfly (insect).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A dialectal or folk name for a dragonfly or damselfly (insect).
A term used, especially in rural or older speech, to refer to long-bodied, flying insects of the order Odonata. Historically, it carried superstitious folk beliefs about the insect sewing up the lips, eyes, or ears of misbehaving people, especially children.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is found in both British and American English folklore, but specific regional prevalence varies. Other folk names like 'horse-stinger' (UK) or 'snake doctor' (US South) may be more common in their respective areas.
Connotations
Connotes rural life, childhood, superstition, and possibly a playful threat ('It'll sew your ears shut!'). In modern use, it is quaint and evocative.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary standard usage. Likely to be encountered in historical texts, regional dialects, or as a point of curiosity.
Grammar
How to Use “devil's darning needle” in a Sentence
X is called a devil's darning needle.They call X a devil's darning needle.Look at that devil's darning needle!Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “devil's darning needle” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not used as a verb)
American English
- (Not used as a verb)
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb)
American English
- (Not used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Not used as an adjective)
American English
- (Not used as an adjective)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Virtually never used in formal entomology. May appear in folklore, cultural history, or dialectology papers.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used by an older speaker recalling childhood or in a specific rural region.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “devil's darning needle”
Strong
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “devil's darning needle”
- Treating it as a standard modern English term.
- Using it in formal writing.
- Confusing it with 'devil's advocate' (a completely different concept).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a folk or regional name for a dragonfly or damselfly, not a different insect.
It comes from old superstitions that the insect could sew up people's body parts as a punishment, combined with its long, needle-like abdomen.
Only if you are specifically writing about dialect, folklore, or regional language. Use 'dragonfly' or 'damselfly' for standard communication.
No. Dragonflies are harmless to humans. The 'devil' and 'darning' parts refer to superstition, not reality.
A dialectal or folk name for a dragonfly or damselfly (insect).
Devil's darning needle is usually dialectal / archaic / informal in register.
Devil's darning needle: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdev.əlz ˈdɑː.nɪŋ ˌniː.dəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdev.əlz ˈdɑːr.nɪŋ ˌniː.dəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a mischievous devil using a giant, iridescent dragonfly as a needle to darn (sew up) socks. The insect's long, thin body looks like a needle.
Conceptual Metaphor
INSECT IS A TOOL (for sewing/punishment). The name is based on the insect's physical resemblance to a needle and a folkloric attribution of a punishing function.
Practice
Quiz
'Devil's darning needle' is primarily which of the following?