ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author easily imagines more pleasant ways of spending an evening than in the company of earwigs. So far as the author concerns, let the Earwig enjoys the company of his own creepy-crawly companions, whether under garden rocks or in dusty corners, whether with centipedes or woodlice, with spiders or daddy-long-legs. No doubt he makes an excellent companion in his own set. Anyhow, the name of 'earwigs' is clearly Anglo-Saxon, and in Anglo-Saxon 'ear' is a prefix which means anything but our 'ear', and 'wig' is likewise a suffix which means anything but our 'wig'. Such resemblances may give rise to what are called 'folk etymologies', but no self-respecting scientist pays attention to what the folk think about anything. The glitter on the back of the Earwig in the evening candle-light is no more than glitter, however entrancingly and momentarily it may be transformed into gold by the romantic imagination.
