Early 19th century; earliest use found in George Shaw (1751–1813), natural historian. From scientific Latin Panorpa (Linnaeus Systema Naturae f. 8) from ancient Greek παν- + ὅρπηξ (non-Attic ὄρπηξ) goad, sting (of unknown origin), so called because the male of this species is armed both at the mouth and at the tail.