The word "grasshopper" is spelled with a "gr" sound, followed by an "a" sound, and then a "ss" sound. Next comes the "hop" sound, followed by the "er" sound at the end. It is pronounced /ˈɡræsˌhɒp.ər/. This word is derived from the Old English word "græshoppa," which was eventually shortened to "hopper." The addition of "grass" is believed to have come from the insect's tendency to hop in grassy areas. The phonetic transcription of this word helps to explain its spellings and pronunciation.
A grasshopper is an insect belonging to the suborder Caelifera and the order Orthoptera. This creature is characterized by its long hind legs, which are adapted for leaping, and its distinct mating calls produced by rubbing its wings together. Grasshoppers are typically herbivorous, feeding on a variety of plants and occasionally damaging crops and vegetation.
The body of a grasshopper is composed of three main parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen. The head features a pair of compound eyes, antennae, and strong mandibles for chewing food. The thorax is responsible for locomotion and houses the powerful leg muscles, allowing the grasshopper to jump impressive distances. The abdomen contains the digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems.
Grasshoppers undergo a remarkable metamorphosis, transitioning through three distinct stages: egg, nymph, and adult. Upon hatching from an egg, the nymph closely resembles the adult but lacks wings and reproductive organs. As it grows, the nymph undergoes a series of molts, shedding its exoskeleton and developing larger wings until it reaches full adulthood.
Grasshoppers are found worldwide, inhabiting diverse habitats ranging from deserts to forests and grasslands. They play a significant role in natural ecosystems as both prey and predator. While some species are considered beneficial due to their role in pollination and nutrient cycling, others can be considered pests due to their feeding habits and potential damage to crops and vegetation.
A small nimble insect living among grass.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "grasshopper" comes from the combination of two Old English words: "græs" and "hopa". "Græs" means "grass" and "hopa" means "to hop or to leap". The term "grasshopper" has been used to describe this insect since at least the 10th century. The name refers to the insect's ability to leap or hop through grassy areas, which are its natural habitat.