TransWikia.com

Is there any difference between "spider-man" and "human spider"?

English Language & Usage Asked by user339348 on November 28, 2020

I am trying to write a review of a text.

I am trying to understand the context of two phrases: “spider-man” and “human spider“.

Do they mean different things?

Although these two words were used interchangeably in the movie “Spiderman” (2002), I have a feeling that, grammatically, “spider-man” means “a human with spider properties”. On the other hand, “human spider” means “a spider with human properties”.

Am I right or wrong?

2 Answers

‘Human anything’ tends to be human first (eg human dynamo, human torch).

Other combinations often go the other way (eg motor vehicle is a vehicle, tree kangaroo is a kangaroo, beach house is a house).

Answered by Lawrence on November 28, 2020

I suppose, although I understand this is going rather awry from your distinct question on grammatical-context, the kenning phrase of: "human-like spider", "an arachnidian human", a "spiderly man" or a "spider-like human" (humanoid), would befit a much more harmonious, poetically sounding rendition, if anyone ever wished to creatively write on such a basis, of a particular figure or man who seemed to possess uncanny qualities of a spider or visa-versa, and with a more easing certainty that the reader would not think of the Marvel superhero, but rather the distinct depiction of such a character.

P.S. once again, please pardon me for diverting away from your particular question but I thought I would write this down if anyone ever came on the sight, who desired to write a story and desired another opinion on the concept of wondering on the "spider-man" distinction of whether it connotates distinctly to a spider-like quality.

Answered by Tom O' Bedlam on November 28, 2020

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question

Get help from others!

© 2024 TransWikia.com. All rights reserved. Sites we Love: PCI Database, UKBizDB, Menu Kuliner, Sharing RPP