subs. (old).—A private prompter or flatterer; also (thieves’) a clergyman. [From the popular delusion that the earwig lodges itself in the ear with a view to working its way into the brain when it causes death.]
1639. BEAUMONT and FLETCHER, The Bloody Brother. Dramatis Personæ. Latorch Rollo’s Earwig.
1789. G. PARKER, Life’s Painter, p. 77. And the court, mercy on us! there are no words equal to the just painting of its EAR-WIGS, its sycophants, pensioners, placemen, scouters, masters of the ceremonies, etc.
1822. SCOTT, The Fortunes of Nigel, A pack of mouthers, and flatterers, and EAR-WIGS.
Verb (common).—To prompt; to influence by covert statements; to whisper insinuations.
1842. MARRYAT, Percival Keene, xiii. And by way of a hint, make him your friend if you can, for he EARWIGS the captain in fine style.
1879. PAYN, High Spirits (‘Confiscated Weeds’). He is a sound divine and politician, but a little apt to be led away by specious arguments on the subject of education; and Carker was in the habit … of EARWIGGING him.
