Why Are People Who Love to Read Called Bookworms?

The Origin of the Term Bookworm

The term bookworm has been used to describe someone who loves to read for centuries. But where did this term come from?

The word “bookworm” can refer to both an insect that eats books and a person who loves to read. The insect is actually a type of beetle larvae, and it gets its name because it bores holes in books. The person who loves to read is also called a bookworm because they are said to devour books in the same way that the insect devours book bindings.

The term bookworm first appeared in the English language in the 1590s. At the time, it was used as a derogatory term for someone who studied or read too much. The word “worm” was often used in a negative way to describe someone who was weak or insignificant. So, calling someone a bookworm was a way of saying that they were a boring or unimportant person.

Over time, the meaning of the term bookworm has changed. Today, it is no longer considered to be a negative term. Instead, it is often used in a positive way to describe someone who is intelligent and well-read.

So, why do we call people who love to read bookworms? There are a few possible explanations. One possibility is that the term comes from the way that bookworms devour books. Just as the insect bores holes in books, the person who loves to read devours books by reading them cover to cover.

Another possibility is that the term comes from the way that bookworms are often found in libraries. Libraries are places where people go to read, and so it makes sense that bookworms would be found there.

Whatever the origin of the term, there is no doubt that it is a fitting description for people who love to read. Bookworms are constantly learning and growing, and they are always eager to explore new worlds through books.

Here are some additional facts about the term bookworm:

• The term bookworm is also used in some other languages, such as German (Buchwurm) and French (ver de livre).
• There is a video game called Bookworm that is based on the term. In the game, players must spell words by linking letters together.
• The term bookworm can also be used figuratively to describe someone who is obsessed with something. For example, you might say that someone is a “bookworm” when they are always talking about books or they are constantly reading.