[Odonata-l] Derivation of "Snakedoctor"

[tmartin]

Once I had a short paper that listed several common names for Odonata in 
gaelic, collected from Scotland and Ireland.  Unfortunately, I've 
misplaced the article.  But I remember that various names made reference 
to snakes and to needles.  My guess is that the name may go back to when 
humans started talking about dragonflies, and wondering what they were 
doing dipping their abdomen in the water.

Cheers,
Tom Martin

Ethan Bright wrote:
> Richard Groover wrote:
>   
>> Being a dragonfly person, my local news media has asked me if I knew 
>> the derivation of the term "Snakedoctor,"  as many old timers refer to 
>> dragonflies that way.  Does anyone know where the term began and why 
>> it was used?
>>     
> Here's a link that briefly explains its etymology (so I assume):
> http://www.bartleby.com/61/72/D0377200.html
>
> Cheers, Ethan
>
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