You all know what the word 'earworm' means, right?

[BlackAmericanoNoSugar]

I've always thought it was a commonly used term, but on Sunday I mentioned that I had an annoying earworm and everyone else at the table looked appalled because they thought I was saying that I had a worm in my ear. My family had never heard of the word, DM in her 80s, DB in his 50s, DH and the two DCs who are teenagers.

I've put this in Craicnet because it might be a regional thing, does it exist in Ireland? My family are all from Ireland and DM, DB and the DCs have only lived in the UK for a short period. DH grew up in the far East and both of us lived in the UK for a couple of decades, which is possibly where I got the impression that it's common usage.

Yeah, it’s pretty common.

There was even a TBBT episode about ear worms.

But since I have the attention of an Irish person, what does ‘flea in your ear mean’?

I read it in a Marian Keyes book so assumed it was an Irish thing. My Irish DP is clueless but he lives in a bubble.

Radio 6 had a feature on ear worms - Shaun Keavney. It's definitely a common term.

Yup , but strangely I actually learnt the German equivalent first and then discovered it existed in English .

A flea in someone's ear is giving them a stern, loud telling off. So that the person goes away with the rebuke still ringing in their ear.

I'm from the NW and "flea in your ear" is pretty common there too. Means someone has told you off in a harsh way, and you are bothered about it (in a uppity/arsey/grumpy way not upset)

"I'll put a flea in his ear when he gets back here"
"He's got a flea in his ear because he left wet towels on the bed again"

Yep, earworm is used in Ireland.

I’m from Ireland and have never heard the term earworm.

I think I first heard it on a Steven Fry QI, how the German word for a stuck tune translates as 'earworm', and have used it ever since because it's so descriptive.

Earworm as in a song stuck in your head? I'm in SE England and it's been a thing for me for years! DP's never heard of it though, he doesn't get them -weirdo-

It used to be a "song stuck in my head".
I thought the term ear worm was a more recent import from abroad (USA?)

I'm Irish living in Ireland and while I'm aware and familiar with the term earworm I've never heard anyone use it. I'm in my 50's and would be in the company of people from age 10 to 80's and none of them have ever mentioned earworm so no, I wouldn't say it's often used here.

I'm in Ireland. I know what it means but have never used the term myself. I've heard people say it in real life but very rarely (maybe once or twice ever).

I'm in Ireland and have used it but never heard anyone else use it here.

Gosh, I'm Irish living in Ireland and both terms would be familiar and well-used here. Especially DD1 who is mad for her music, talks about getting ear-worms regularly.

I'm in the South England but have moved around a lot. I know what an earworm is and thought it was in common usage.

I know it, but it's relatively new to me. Definitely didn't grow up using it.

I'm in Ireland and know both and have used earworm occasionally.

I’m Irish, mid-40s - I’ve only heard of the phrase in recent years. I presumed it was a newly-coined phrase. ‘Song stuck in my head’ is what I would use.

Irish in Ireland and been using both and hearing both all my life.

I am middle-aged and it's only in the past few years that I have come across this word. It wouldn't surprise me if some of my older friends and relatives didn't know it, I haven't heard them say it, I've said it to a couple of them perhaps in conversation and they might have just got it from the context? My younger (grown up) relatives don't really use the term either even though they know what it is.

My mum used to talk about sending someone away with a flea in their ear if she was annoyed with them, we grew up in the southeast but her folks were originally scots.
Haven't heard that phrase for years but earworms are very common round here when the other half walks by whistling an annoying but catchy tune.

I have occasionally inflicted an earworm by inserting a phrase from a catchy but irritating song into general conversation. 'Let it go' is a good example.

I'm Irish and only heard of the phrase 'earworm' a few years ago probably online. I don't think I've ever heard a real life person use it

Same here.

My mother in her 80s would be aghast and conjure up all sorts of dire imaginings if I told her I had an earworm.

Everyone else I know (I'm late 50s) would know what I'm talking about.