flea (n.)

So, naturalists observe, a flea

Has smaller fleas that on him prey;

And these have smaller still to bite 'em;

And so proceed ad infinitum.

Jonathan Swift (1667-1745): Poetry, a Rhapsody.

He went away with a flea in's ear.

John Fletcher (1576-1625): Love's Cure. Act iii. Sc. 3.

This flea which I have in mine ear.

Martin Luther (1483-1546): Works. Book iii. Chap. xxxi.

You may as well say, that's a valiant flea that dare eat his breakfast on the lip of a lion.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): King Henry V. Act iii. Sc. 7.

Careful Words