Fictional depictions of worms

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.

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

References

Wikiquote has quotations related to worm.
  1. ^ a b c 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.
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