daddy longlegs
nounUK /ˈdædɪ ˈlɒŋ(ɡ)lɛɡz/
Etymology From daddy + longlegs. First attested in 1810s. Preceded by father longlegs, attested from 1740s.
- Daddy longlegs adults are weak flyers, falling onto the water surface in the lightest of breezes, and even on calm days.2004, Bill Hansford-Steele, African Fly-fishing Handbook, page 316:
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Australia, Canada, New Zealand, US Any (non-spider) arachnid of the order Opiliones, mostly with long thin legs.
- Unlike spiders, daddy longlegs do not have a clearly marked division between thorax and abdomen. They are further distinguished from spiders in that they do not produce venom or silk.2002, Maurice Burton, Robert Burton, The International Wildlife Encyclopedia, volume 10, page 636:
- Daddy longlegs aren′t even really spiders.2004, Clay Thompson, Marshall Trimble, The Valley 101 Great Big Book of Life, page 33:
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Broadly The daddy long-legs spider, any spider of the family Pholcidae.
- Another spider neighbor that is commonly found in homes is the daddy longlegs. The daddy longlegs is often called a cellar spider.2010, Lou Bensinger, Tiny Invaders in Your Home, page 10:
- Synonyms
- cranefly, tipulid, granddaddy longlegs, grandfather-graybeard, harry-longlegs, harvestman, harvest spider, shepherd spider, cellar spider
- Derived terms
- daddy long-legs spider, granddaddy longlegs