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creepy-crawly

noun

Etymology

A partial appellativization of Kreepy Krauly, a brand name, from Etymology 1.

Definitions

  1. Any small crawling animal such as a spider, insect or worm that is unpleasant.

    • Mattresses were either spring or made of old straw, and sometimes contained little creepy-crawlies.
    • Many experts believe there is a clear environmental benefit to humans eating creepy-crawlies.

  2. Unpleasant, repulsive.

    • […] and slimy, creepy-crawly dungeons with chains for your hands and feet; […]
    • Still he paid no heed; and I don't mind saying to you men that, for half a second, I felt creepy-crawly and goose-flesh down the back.

  3. An automated suction pool cleaner.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for creepy-crawly. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA