spider sense n.
in the fictional world of the comic book hero Spider-Man: the precognitive ability to anticipate (and react to) dangerous situations beyond the normal range of human senses; (hence, in figurative or allusive use) a premonition; intuition; insight
Comics
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[1885 Los Angeles Times 19 Apr. 4/8
Spider Sense.—A German entomologist…claims that spiders have perfect sight only at very short distances. Their sense of touch is consequently remarkably well developed…. Their smell is so good that they can distinguish odors, and their hearing is excellent.]
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[1906 Massachusetts Ploughman & New England Journal of Agriculture 28 July 7/5
In my garden I have taken away from a female spider…her precious bundle of eggs, and watched the effect. Her agitation has been marked. She has searched about for the eggs, seizing, and, by the exquisite spider sense of feel, examining minute bits of soil, etc., to see whether any of these be the missing treasure.]
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[1963
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My spider instinct senses danger behind me!]
Spider-Man vs. the Chameleon! 4 in Amazing Spider-Man (#1) Mar. -
1963
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Spider-man has the powers and instincts of a spider! So I will send him a message that only his spider senses will be able to pick up!
Spider-Man vs. the Chameleon! 6 in Amazing Spider-Man (#1) Mar. -
[1963
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If he hasn’t flown too far, I can use my spider’s senses to ‘tune in’ on the ship…get its location!]
Spider-Man vs. the Chameleon! 7 in Amazing Spider-Man (#1) Mar. -
1975 Parents’ Magazine Nov. 30 (advt.)
Something new, parents! Spider-Man vitamins from Hudson…. Your kids won’t forget to take their vitamins…when they know ‘spider sense’ will help them remember!
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1978 San Francisco Examiner 25 Mar. 3/1
My spider sense is tingling (you know, those little lines that surround Spiderman’s head when danger is nearby). I have this feeling all sorts of tantalizing news is working its way down the pike.
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1987 Los Angeles Times 5 Dec.
Last year I make a surprise block on Cleveland’s Clay Matthews, he gets up and says, ‘Good play. You must have used your Spider Sense.’
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2006 Las Vegas Review-Journal 22 July
He called it the ‘spider sense’—when the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
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2008 Sarasota Herald-Tribune 31 May 9
A veteran lifeguard for 24 years, with the sun-bleached hair and deep tan to show for it, he usually noticed when something was wrong. He calls it his ‘spider sense.’
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2014
Usually I can detect instantly whether I’m dealing with a member of the world’s weirdest book club or a normal late-night browser. But now my spider-sense is jammed.
Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore 42
Research requirements
antedating 1963
Research History
Suggested by Bill Mullins.
Last modified 2024-03-29 11:33:45
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entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries
in OED.