Fictional depictions of worms

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The Lambton Worm Lambton Worm.jpg
The Lambton Worm

Worms have played major roles in world mythology and its associated literatures. [1] The word was often used to describe creatures now classified as snakes, lindworms, serpents and dragons. [1] Its symbolic meaning is divided between death and renewal. [1]

Worms continue to play mixed roles in modern cultures. The current usage of worm as a type of malicious Internet software is derived from John Brunner's 1975 science fiction novel The Shockwave Rider . [2] More positive interpretations, based on the concept of the friendly 'bookworm' or mutated forms of the common earthworm, are found in many recent books, especially those written for children.[ citation needed ]

On Pink Floyd's album The Wall , worms were used as "symbols of negative forces within ourselves." [3]

Although more usually used in the context of earthworms, the English word "worm" derives from Old Norse orm and Old English wyrm, which could also mean "serpent" or "dragon". [4] The synonymous usage of worm and dragon in English lessened during the following centuries. Samuel Johnson's dictionary drew a distinction between worms and dragons (while retaining the word serpent as a definition of worm) and the last synonymous usage of worm and dragon as noted in the Oxford English Dictionary dates to the 17th century. [5]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Hope B. Werness (2004). The Continuum encyclopedia of animal symbolism in art. Continuum International Publishing Group. p. 439. ISBN   978-0-8264-1525-7.
  2. Jose Nazario (2004). Defense and detection strategies against Internet worms. Artech House. p. 38. ISBN   978-1-58053-537-3.
  3. Waters, Roger and Jim Ladd. "An Explanation of The Wall" . Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  4. Brian Bates (2003), The real Middle-Earth: exploring the magic and mystery of the Middle Ages, J.R.R. Tolkien and "The Lord of the Rings, ISBN   9781403963192
  5. Sayre N. Greenfield (1998). The ends of allegory . University of Delaware Press. p.  75. ISBN   978-0-87413-670-8. worm dragon oed.