A person who reads excessively or obsessively; someone who spends most of their time reading books. Originally referred to actual insects that eat through book pages.
Compound of 'book' and 'worm.' The literal sense (insects that damage books) came first in the 16th century, the metaphorical sense (avid reader) developed in the 19th century. Reflects society's sometimes negative view of excessive reading.
Real bookworms are tiny beetles whose larvae tunnel through paper, creating those mysterious holes in old books! The human 'bookworm' stereotype often depicts antisocial behavior, but research shows that reading fiction actually increases empathy and social understanding.
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