Referring to someone as a “worm” usually expresses a pretty low opinion of that individual. Betrayed at work? Relationship gone sour? Your foe could be a worm. Yet, "bookworm" is just the opposite. It ascribes complimentary traits to the proverbial well-read, including intelligence and a desire for knowledge. So, how did “bookworm” become the exception to the rule? Initially, it wasn’t. The use of bookworm dates back to the 1500s, when the word was an insult. A bookworm was someone who was insulated, prone to idle behavior, failing to make any significant contributions to society. Calling someone a bookworm was like saying they were useless. Even in the context of being a voracious reader, a bookworm was thought to be someone who lacked discriminating taste, someone who would read anything, regardless of how insignificant. Bookworms were also perceived as idle time-wasters. It’s difficult to know exactly when the tide began to turn on bookworms, though it’s been a relatively recent development. So, the next time you’re about to condemn someone for being a bookworm, pause and think a little. Remember that the person is only blessed with a little more curiosity than others, and you can’t blame them for satisfying that curiosity.
