Words, weird and wonderful. Image: Seventeen Magazine
WEIRD word of the day: COCKCHAFER
Today’s weird word of the day will be of interest to those in the field of biology or zoology, or just those who want to have a quick lol.
Words, weird and wonderful. Image: Seventeen Magazine
Today’s weird word of the day might be appealing to those involved in the world of natural sciences. Have you heard it before?
Weird word of the day: 14 December 2022
COCKCHAFER
noun: cockchafer /ˈkɒkˌtʃeɪfə/
- a large brown European beetle which flies at dusk and is a destructive plant pest, both as an adult and a larva.
Mentions of this word peaked around the year 1865. Probably a cool way to refer to an annoying friend back then.
What is a cockchafer though?
The cockchafer, colloquially known as Maybug, Maybeetle, or doodlebug, is the name given to any of the European beetles of the genus Melolontha, in the family Scarabaeidae. Cockchafers have distinctive, fan-shaped antennae. You can check out more cool info from discoverwildlife who’ve put together a super comprehensive look at this pretty awesome beetle. The animal doesn’t look like its name at all!
GOSSIP: Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns transfers
GOSS: Trevor Noah’s friend Dua Lipa has a new man
The intimidating sharp point at the tip of a cockchafer’s abdomen is not a sting, but a pygidium – used by females to push their eggs deep into the soil. Cockchafers tend to live for approximately four to five weeks. Sad! Anyway, see you again tomorrow at 11:11.
Catch up with our weird word of the day, on the daily at 11:11, courtesy of James Freemantle
Also, if you’re that way inclined, keep up on daily football trivia via football stats nerd foodball_za.
