Learning every word’s spelling in English can be a challenge. Today’s communication occurs mostly online, and we have spell checkers that can correct our texts. But, we rely so much on checking software that we no longer pay close attention to the exact spelling of words. In this article, we will talk about “varmit” or “varmint”; which one is correct?
“Varmit” is a typo from the word “varmint.” However, the word “varmint” is an informal style of the term “vermin,” which would be the correct term out of the three.
The English language is full of variations on the same term. It is the case of the word “vermin.” Now, let’s see more details about how these terms originated, their meaning, and how people use them.
Understanding The Terms “Varmit” And “Varmint”
As we mentioned, both of these terms are related to the word “vermin.” In everyday speech, you may find that people tend to use “varmint” instead of “vermin.” But, the three words are associated with each other.
Etymology
The word “vermin” was introduced in English somewhere between the 12th and 15th centuries as “vermyn.” The word came from the French “vermine,” and the French got it from the Latin word “vermis.”
Meaning Of “Vermin”
The word has always been used to refer to displeasing animals. In Latin, it meant “worm,” but was used to refer to any disgusting insect. Nowadays, the meaning also includes other big animals and even some birds.
If you look up the term “vermin” in the dictionary, some of the definitions you will find are:
- An animal deemed as a pest
- A person you strongly dislike
- A despicable child
How People Use The Terms “Varmint” And “Varmit”
You can say, by their meaning, that the terms “varmint,” “vermin,” or “varmit” are not compliments. People use these three terms to refer to things that they dislike or things that deeply disgust them. Some of the creatures deemed as vermin are:
- Roaches
- Mice
- Rats
- Worms
- Termites
- Squirrels
- Coyotes
- Ferrets
- Crows
- Wood pigeons
If you feel disgusted by the presence of one of the creatures above, don’t worry, you are not alone. One could say that “vermin” is used to refer to animals that most humans despise.
Since we use this noun to talk about pests, it isn’t very respectful to refer to other people as “vermin.” Even though you might hear people using it, it doesn’t mean that it is well received. If you think about it, you compare this person to a pest, something that you don’t want to be nearby because it may ruin things you value.
Why Do People Consider Some Of These Animals As Pests?
It may be obvious why some of these animals are considered pests. For instance, roaches and mice carry diseases and will often try to find shelter in your house. Termites can literally eat your whole home, furniture included.
But what about squirrels? They don’t even like humans. Well, some people have reported squirrels damaging their crops, gardens, and surrounding trees. Even though they try to elude human presence, it is known that they can harm cables and part of your house’s structure.
When it comes to coyotes, there’s a misconstruction because they are not vermin. We know that most humans will be scared to find one of them in their way. But, coyotes are predators of mice and rats, therefore keeping control of their population. However, we suggest you keep your pets away from them as they can transmit rabies and tularemia.
Ferrets are sometimes held as pets. But, these small rodents can be a threat to poultry production as they eat small birds and eggs. A similar situation occurs with crows; they pose a menace to agriculture because they destroy crops.
And finally, when it comes to pigeons, people who don’t live near these animals might think they look pretty. But, in reality, pigeons are unpleasant. Their excrement is highly corrosive and can damage marble, wood, and even your car’s paint.
How To Pronounce “Varmint” And “Vermin”
To pronounce “varmint,” you will start with your upper teeth touching your lower lip, and your tongue should be resting while the /v/ sound comes out of your throat. The vowel sound is /ɑ:/ which is the same vowel in the word “got.” With your lips relaxed, your tongue moves to the back of your mouth, and the sound comes from the vibration of your vocal cords. The letter “r” is silent. This concludes the first syllable.
The second syllable is non-stressed. You will start with your lips closed together while your vocal cords make the /m/ sound. Then you will release your lips to make the /ɪ/ sound, the same one as in the word “bit.” If you want to say “varmint,” you will include the /n/ sound and then move to the /t/ sound.
If you want to pronounce the word “vermin,” the first difference is the /əː/ sound; here, we have a long schwa sound. The final sound would be /n/ instead of /t/. But, the rest will remain the same.
Synonyms For The Word “Varmint”
Here we have other words you can use instead of the term “varmint” and they will convey a similar meaning:
- Pests
- Bugs
- Plague
- Infestation
- Critter
- Skunk
Common Questions
Who uses the word “varmint”?
The word varmint is commonly used in the Southeast states, including Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
Is varmint a bad word?
Yes, it is. If you use the term to refer to a person, you may come across as rude.
Is a rabbit a varmint?
Yes, some rabbits are. People consider wild rabbits to be varmint as they can carry diseases such as rabbit fever.
Can you eat varmint?
Yes, you can eat some of the species considered varmint. You can eat coyotes, squirrels, groundhogs, and other large creatures.
Example Sentences Using The Terms
You will find below example sentences using the words “vermin” and “varmint”.
- We bought a lovely house, but the cleaning process was lengthy as we tried to eliminate all vermin.
- It is a pity to see how some people consider others varmints without even knowing them.
- Farmers regard crows as varmint; that’s why you can find scarecrows in many crop fields.
- Some of the diseases spread by vermin include leptospirosis, tularemia, and salmonella.
- I’d suggest you call pest control because vermin will not only affect your health but could damage your house.
- I’d say it is easier to get rid of larger-sized varmints than small ones like termites or roaches.
- Aunt Christie didn’t know that we heard her when she said Mike’s family was vermin to her.
Final Thoughts About The Terms “Varmit” And “Varmint”
Both of these terms are used to refer to despicable creatures. You can find that people in the southeast part of the United States use it frequently. Most of the time, you will find that people use it to talk about pests that ruin crops or damage personal property.
The term “varmint” is an informal reference to the word “vermin.” You don’t only use it on animals, but also on people. Note that it is not a polite way to refer to someone. You may hear it when people are angrily talking about someone else. Is it important to note that the term “varmit” is a misspelling of “varmint.”
We expect this article helped you to understand how these three terms are related to one another.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.