'auriscalpium' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'auriscalpium', where 'auris' meant 'ear' and 'scalpium' (from scalpere) meant 'a scraper' or 'pick'.

'auriscalpium' was originally a Classical Latin noun meaning 'ear‑pick' (a small implement for cleaning the ear); the form was later adopted in botanical/ mycological Latin as the genus name 'Auriscalpium' to describe fungi whose shape or spines suggested an ear‑pick.

Initially, it meant 'ear‑pick' (an instrument); over time it evolved into its current use as the scientific name for a genus of fungi (by analogy to the original object's shape).