Dictionary

creepy-crawly en · ADJ · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Meanings

1. Unpleasant, repulsive.
   • […] and slimy, creepy-crawly dungeons with chains for your hands and feet; […] 1903, Lloyd Osbourne, “Ffrenches First”, in Love, the Fiddler:
   • This made Egbert’s backbone more creepy crawly than ever[.] 1936, Norman Lindsay, The Flyaway Highway, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 62:
   • 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. 1921, Dorothy Scarborough, Humorous Ghost Stories:

Forms

creepy-crawly en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Meanings

1. (informal) 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. 1919, Gerald Featherstone Knight, Brother Bosch: An Airman's Escape from Germany:
   • Many experts believe there is a clear environmental benefit to humans eating creepy-crawlies. 2013 March 2, Tracy McVeigh, “Insects could be the planet's next food source… even if that gives you the creeps”, in The Observer:

Forms

Synonyms

creepy crawler

Translations (17)

de Krabbelviech (small crawling animal such as a spider, insect or worm) · gl bichoco (small crawling animal such as a spider, insect or worm) · mi ngāngara (small crawling animal such as a spider, insect or worm) · mk бу́бачка (small crawling animal such as a spider, insect or worm) · mi ngārara (small crawling animal such as a spider, insect or worm) · es bicho (small crawling animal such as a spider, insect or worm) · es animalejo (small crawling animal such as a spider, insect or worm) · gl besbello (small crawling animal such as a spider, insect or worm) · cy trychfil (small crawling animal such as a spider, insect or worm) · de Krabbeltier (small crawling animal such as a spider, insect or worm) · eu zomorro (small crawling animal such as a spider, insect or worm) · fi mönkiäinen (small crawling animal such as a spider, insect or worm) · gl bicho (small crawling animal such as a spider, insect or worm) · el μαμούνι (small crawling animal such as a spider, insect or worm) · ca cuca (small crawling animal such as a spider, insect or worm) · fi ötökkä (small crawling animal such as a spider, insect or worm) · el μαμούδι (small crawling animal such as a spider, insect or worm)

creepy-crawly en · NOUN · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

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

Meanings

1. (Australia, informal) An automated suction pool cleaner.

Forms