Where does “밥벌레” come from?

밥벌레 (Korean) comes from Korean 벌레, from Proto-Korean peLkey — bug, insect.

밥벌레 (Korean): idler, rascal, scoundrel

Definitions

  1. idler, rascal, scoundrel

Ancestry of “밥벌레”, step by step

밥벌레 traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Korean 벌레

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Korean벌레bug, insect
2Proto-KoreanpeLkeybug, insect

via Korean 밥

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Korean밥cooked rice; food, meal; feed
Every word from Proto-Korean peLkey →