duck itch
n.— «Also known as, “swimmer’s itch,” “clam digger’s itch,” and “rice paddy itch,” this seems to be a bane of bathers on every continent. Duck itch is an intensely itchy, red, pinpoint rash appearing after swimming or wading in fresh water. Caused by an innocent case of mistaken identity, the rash is the result of penetration of the skin by a tiny parasite.» —“Turns out ‘duck itch’ is an annoyance for swimmers everywhere” by Christopher Bartlett MaineToday.com May 29, 2005. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a word-pecker is “a person who trifles or plays with, or quibbles over, words.” This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Word-Peckers” I always love it when I’m looking through the dictionary and...
How do dictionaries define colors? And why are some of those definitions so confusing, like “stronger than carmine” and “bluer than fiesta”? Dictionary editor Kory Stamper explains it all in her new book. Plus, the story behind the expression more...