Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun Any one of several insects, as the wheel-bug, a mantis, or a walking-stick.
- noun The whip-tailed scorpion, Thelyphonus giganteus. Also called
nigger-killer and grampus.
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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Smith & Wesson mule-killer, he holstered at his waist.
There Will Be Time Anderson, Poul, 1926-2001 1972
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The gun, a 9-mm Smith & Wesson mule-killer, he holstered at his waist.
Two in Time Anderson, Poul 1970
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This praying mantis is called a "mule-killer" in the South, where the people think the brown liquor it spits out of its mouth, when disturbed, is fatal to mules.
The Insect Folk Margaret Warner Morley 1890
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"And in the South the darkies call it the mule-killer, and believe it has power to bring snakes to life.
Little Busybodies The Life of Crickets, Ants, Bees, Beetles, and Other Busybodies Julia Moody 1919
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