Why is a roach called a cock-roach?

Answer 1

While the true origin of the name will probably forever be shrouded in mystery (a product of the long time that cockroaches have been plaguing our great civilization), a good number of prominent linguo-biologo-sociologists have suggested that the term cockroach originated in England in the nineteenth century. It was originally used to describe cigarette butts thrown out by members of the lower class, but transformed with the advent of modern shipping, and its progeny, cockroaches, no doubt another influence was probably the offense taken by the lower class at having their name, cockney, shortened as it was.

Other possibilities:

It could be a reference to their appearance. Cock is another name for a rooster, and a number of chickens are reddish-brown in appearance. The way they crawl is much like a rooster strutting. A "roach" is one of several species of fish. Wikipedia says the English term came from the Spanish term cucaracha, and thus does not derive from any terms related to roosters nor fish.

Answer 2

Roach is short for the full English name for this insect, which is cockroach. It may be derived from the Spanish word, "cucaracha" (meaning cockroach) but has been part of the English language since at least the English settlement of America.

Answer 3

the cockroach got its name from the word "coock-a-rach-a" which means "crazy insect", though i dont know how to spell ""coock-a-rach-a." but it is right, i did a project on them

Answer 4

because they have 6 legs and antanas