Saddam hiding in hidden "Spider Hole."

[Dave Wilton]

>    "Spider hole" is not in OED.   There are almost a thousand Google hits,
> and tons of hits today....Spiderman could not be reached for comment.

It is in the SOED.

I first heard the term when I was in the Army, mid-80s. I suspect, but don't
have the citations to prove it, that it dates to WWII. The use of
spider-holes was a tactic used by Japanese snipers--but the term could have
been applied retroactively.

Until now, I only new the term as a type of fighting position, dug to be
used in an ambush. It will be interesting to see if this incident spawns a
new sense meaning a hiding place, as opposed to a place from which to spring
an ambush.

The metaphor is one of a spider that digs a hole and lies in wait for prey
to come by as opposed to spinning a web.

--Dave Wilton
  dave at wilton.net