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]
