whirligig \whirl"igig\, n. whirl + gig.
   1913 webster
   1. a child's toy, spun or whirled around like a wheel upon an
      axis, or like a top. --johnson.
      1913 webster

   2. anything which whirls around, or in which persons or
      things are whirled about, as a frame with seats or wooden
      horses.
      1913 webster

            with a whirligig of jubilant mosquitoes spinning
            about each head.                      --g. w. cable.
      1913 webster

   3. a mediaeval instrument for punishing petty offenders,
      being a kind of wooden cage turning on a pivot, in which
      the offender was whirled round with great velocity.
      1913 webster

   4. zool. any one of numerous species of beetles belonging
      to gyrinus and allied genera. the body is firm, oval or
      boatlike in form, and usually dark colored with a
      bronzelike luster. these beetles live mostly on the
      surface of water, and move about with great celerity in a
      gyrating, or circular, manner, but they are also able to
      dive and swim rapidly. the larva is aquatic. called also
      weaver, whirlwig, and whirlwig beetle.
      1913 webster
see also:
gyrinus weaver whirlwig whirlwig beetle 

whirlwig \whirl"wig`\, n. cf. earwig. zool.
   a whirligig.
   1913 webster
see also:
earwig