Ohr (“ear”) + Wurm (“worm”). In ancient times, dried and ground animals of the order Dermaptera were used to treat ear diseases, which resulted in the Late Latin name auricula. Later the name was in error explained as "worm that enters the ear".
- earwig, any insect of the order Dermaptera
- earworm, a tune that pops up in one's memory all of the time
- Ohrwurm in Duden online