grasshopper vs termite

grasshopper

noun
  • In the strict sense, refers to insects in the suborder Caelifera, particularly those in the family Acrididae. 

  • In a looser sense, also includes the katydids (also known as longhorned grasshoppers or bush crickets), which are members of the family Tettigoniidae, of the suborder Ensifera. 

  • A mostly herbivorous insect of the order Orthoptera, noted for its ability to jump long distances and for the habit of some species communicating by stridulation; they are related to but distinct from crickets. 

  • A cocktail made with crème de menthe and optionally with crème de cacao. 

  • A young student in initial stages of training who has been chosen on account of their obvious talent. 

  • In ordinary square or upright pianos of London make, the escapement lever or jack, so made that it can be taken out and replaced with the key. 

termite

noun
  • A white-bodied, wood-consuming insect of the infraorder Isoptera, in the order Blattodea. 

  • A contemptible person. 

verb
  • Of a chimpanzee: to catch termites by inserting a stick or vine into their nest and waiting for them to climb up it. 

How often have the words grasshopper and termite occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )