why do people call spiders webs cobwebs?

Question

i was wondering where the name cobweb comes from seeing as its a spider that spins a web and not a cob!

Answer 1

The Middle English word coppe, meaning spider,
is the original source of the word cob in cobweb.
Whether it has a spider in it or not, or is covered
with dust or not has nothing at all to do with the
matter. What are called cobwebs in houses are
normally irregular webs of the kind made by
pholcid or theridiid spiders, both kinds that are
common in houses. Spiders move from one place
to another, especially when food is scarce. The
abandoned webs naturally gather dust after a while
which makes them more conspicuous.

Answer 2

I've wondered this myself. I think that maybe a spider web is what a spider is living in. A cobweb is what's left after the spider moves away. Since the spider is no longer keeping up the web it falls into disrepair and gets all dusty -- and becomes a cobweb. But I'm not sure!

Answer 3

Although these days we refer to cobwebs as being old webs or just dust, in fact the word 'cob' is an old word for spider.

Answer 4

Spider's webs usually have a spider living there. Cobwebs don't.

Answer 5

Spider webs are made by spiders. Cobwebs are made by bits of dust.

Answer 6

Cob webs are old webs that have gathered dust. I think it originates from there being many found in old barn yards cob farms, as spiders like dark warm/damp environments.

Answer 7

true ^^^ cobwebs r old spiders webs collecting dust