rock scorpionn.
/ˈrɒk ˌskɔːpɪən/, U.S. /ˈrɑk ˌskɔrpiən/ 1. A scorpion that frequents rocky places: (a) any of several large black scorpions of the Old World, esp. Pandinus imperator of Africa; (b) (more fully flat rock scorpion) any of several flattened scorpions of the genus Hadogenes, of southern Africa.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Arachnida > [noun] > order Scorpiones > unspecified and miscellaneous types > rock scorpion
rock scorpion1789
1789 W. Paterson Narr. Four Journeys Country of Hottentots 165 The Black, or Rock Scorpion, is nearly as venomous as any of the serpent tribe.
1863 J. G. Wood Illustr. Nat. Hist. (new ed.) III. 681 The great Rock-scorpion of Africa is much dreaded by the natives.
1913 J. T. Durward Holy Land & Holy Writ vii. 114 The most dangerous variety is the black rock scorpion, as thick as a finger and five or six inches long.
1973 Standard Encycl. Southern Afr. IX. 544/2 The rock-scorpion, Hadogenes, is extraordinarily flattened, being adapted for living in narrow fissures between rocks.
2001 Jrnl. Arachnol. 29 146/2 The status of the endemic South African flat rock scorpion, Hadogenes bicolor.., was reassessed.
2. British Military slang. A nickname for: a civilian inhabitant of Gibraltar. Cf. rock n.1 4a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > nations > native or inhabitant of Europe > the Spaniards > [noun] > native or inhabitant of Spain > Gibraltar
rock scorpion1817
rock lizard1843
scorpion1845
Gibraltarine1883
Rock-scorp1912
1817 A. Beauclerc Deserter III. ix. 97 Old Gib is the true home for me; I am sure I don't want to leave it—I would be a ‘rock scorpion’ all my days.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Rock-Scorpion, a name applied to persons born at Gibraltar.
1916 ‘Taffrail’ Pincher Martin viii. 145 The fuel was carried on board in small baskets on the backs of nondescript, garlic-scented aliens known as ‘rock scorpions’.
1976 Daily Colonist (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) 10 June 4/1 The 29,000 Gibraltarians—affectionately known to generations of British seafarers as Rockscorpions—have been eyeing Madrid hopefully.
1994 Times (Nexis) 25 June Her article was pure gibberish, but at least she avoided calling the Gibraltarians rock scorpions.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1789