Why is an Earwig Called An Earwig ?

Question

i dont get this .... they dont go in your ears, they dont look like ears so why are they called earwigs ?,

Answer 1

The name comes from an old wives' tale in which it was believed that earwigs lay their eggs in human ear canals. This is of course a myth, but centuries ago people believed a lot of things that weren't true. The name "earwig" persisted even after science disproved the misconception, probably because it's easier to just keep the old name than to teach everyone a brand new name. This actually happens a lot in the animal kingdom; we now know, for example, that a "jellyfish" isn't really a fish--but we still call it that anyway.

Answer 2

It supposedly creeps (wiggles)  into the human ear and from there burrows into the head. Untrue! Untrue!

This quote from the year 1601 is funny:

"If an earwig be gotten into the eare, spit into the same, and it will come forth anon."

Answer 3

Why is an elephant called an elephant. Everything on the planet can be questioned.