maggot

Definition

A soft, legless larva of a fly or other dipteran insect, that often eats decomposing organic matter.

Etymology

From Middle English magot, magat, maked, probably a metathetic alteration of maddock, maðek (“worm", "maggot”), originally a diminutive form of a base represented by Old English maþa (Scots mathe), from Proto-West Germanic *maþō, from Proto-Germanic *maþô, from the Proto-Indo-European root *mat, which was used in insect names, equivalent to made + -ock. Near-cognates include Dutch made, German Made and Swedish mask, Icelandic maðkur (“worm, grub, maggot”). The use of maggot to mean a fanciful or whimsical thing derives from the folk belief that a whimsical or crotchety person had maggots in their brain.

Example Sentences

• "Drop and give me fifty, maggot."
• ""Maggot!" said Catweazle angrily. "Sit thee down!""
• "Are you not mad, my friend? What time o' th' moon is't? / Have not you maggots in your brain?"

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