Why are lice called lice? - briefly
The word originates from Old English lȳs, cognate with Germanic terms for parasitic insects, and historically referred to the small, wingless ectoparasites that infest mammals. Its plural form is identical to the singular, a pattern preserved in contemporary English.
Why are lice called lice? - in detail
The word «lice» originates from Old English lǣs, a plural form of lǣs meaning “a louse”. The Old English term derives from Proto‑Germanic lausaz, which is cognate with Old Norse lús and German Laus. These Germanic roots trace back to the Proto‑Indo‑European root *lewh‑, meaning “to peel or strip”, a reference to the insect’s habit of feeding on the skin’s outer layer.
Latin adopted the Germanic word as pediculus for “louse”, but the English language retained the native Germanic form. Throughout Middle English, the spelling varied—les, lese, lise—before stabilising as lice in Early Modern English. The plural form remained unchanged; the singular “louse” developed from a separate Old English lūs.
Taxonomically, lice belong to the order Phthiraptera, encompassing three suborders: Anoplura (the sucking lice), Mallophaga (the chewing lice), and Rhynchophthirina (the spiral‑tongued lice). The common name reflects the order’s defining characteristic: an obligate ectoparasitic lifestyle on mammals and birds.
Key points of the naming history:
- Germanic origin: lausaz → Old English lǣs.
- Retention of native term despite Latin influence.
- Evolution of spelling to modern lice.
- Singular “louse” formed from a distinct Old English root.
- Scientific classification aligns with the everyday name, emphasizing parasitic behavior.
Thus, the modern English term “lice” preserves an ancient Germanic root that has survived through linguistic shifts, while scientific nomenclature reinforces the descriptive nature of the original word.