Gelastocoridae

/dʒɛˌlæstɔːkɔːˈrɪdi/ noun

Definition

A family of insects (assassin bugs or robber bugs) in the order Hemiptera, named for their supposed resemblance to laughing behavior.

Etymology

From Greek 'gelastos' (laughable, from 'gelao', to laugh) + 'korax' (raven) + '-idae' (family suffix in taxonomy). Named by early entomologists who observed what they perceived as laughing-like behavior.

Kelly Says

Some taxonomist in the 1800s looked at these weird bugs and thought they looked like they were laughing, which is hilarious because it means an entire insect family is named after a misinterpreted facial expression.

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