The Praying Mantis Is Not Praying
Praying is speaking to a god. The insect named for it holds its forelegs in a similar position, but it is hunting, not worshipping.
Praying is addressing a god in words or thought. The insect that borrowed the word is doing nothing of the kind: the mantis holds its spined forelegs folded and ready, and the moment prey comes close it strikes. Some writers call it a *preying* mantis, which is arguably more accurate and is nonetheless a misspelling.
- Addressing a god. *Praying for rain.*
- Hoping strongly. *Praying it would hold.*
- Praying mantis — a predatory insect. *A praying mantis on the leaf.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | pray | Pray for guidance. |
| -ing | praying | Praying quietly. |
| Noun | prayer | A short prayer. |
| Person | prayer | A regular prayer. |
| Homophone | preying | Preying on the weak. |
How it is used in a sentence
- They were praying in the side chapel.The religious sense.
- I am praying the train is late.Hoping hard, no religion implied.
- A mantis waits motionless for hours.Ambush hunting.
Pray or prey?
- Pray — to address a god
- Prey — an animal hunted, or to hunt
- Prayer — the words, or the person saying them
- Praying mantis — the standard name
- Prey on — to exploit or hunt
From Old French *preier*, from Latin *precari*, to ask or entreat. *Prey* comes from a separate Latin word, *praeda*, plunder — the two only sound alike.
Praying or preying mantis?
Praying is the established name, from the posture of the forelegs. Preying is a common misspelling, even though it describes the behaviour better.
Pray or prey?
You pray in a church and prey on someone weaker. They are unrelated words that happen to sound identical.