pollywog Definition
- 1a tadpole or the larva of a frog or toad
- 2a naval slang for someone who has not yet crossed the equator
Using pollywog: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "pollywog" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The pond was full of pollywogs.
Example
The pollywog will eventually turn into a frog.
Example
He was called a pollywog until he crossed the equator on his naval ship.
pollywog Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with pollywog
pollywogging
the act of being a pollywog, especially in the navy
Example
He was looking forward to pollywogging with his fellow sailors.
a term used by sailors to describe those who have not yet crossed the equator and are therefore subject to hazing rituals
Example
As a pollywog, he was afraid of becoming pollywog bait.
a sailor who has crossed the equator and is responsible for initiating pollywogs into the realm of King Neptune
Example
After crossing the equator, he became a pollywog priest and helped initiate new sailors.
Origins of pollywog
from Middle English 'polwygle', meaning 'a tadpole'
Summary: pollywog in Brief
'Pollywog' [ˈpɑːliwɒɡ] refers to a tadpole or the larva of a frog or toad. It is also a naval slang for someone who has not yet crossed the equator, and is therefore subject to hazing rituals. Examples include 'The pond was full of pollywogs,' and 'He was called a pollywog until he crossed the equator on his naval ship.'
