/sówja/, soldier snail [cf. OED soldier crab idem; cf. Fr. Cr. sòlda (lit. soldier) idem (Chaudenson 1974:627)] n. the hermit crab, a tiny species which lives in and carries about an abandoned snail shell, into which it withdraws for protection: 1782 Their shell-fish are conques… sogers, wilkes (Bruce 46). (Black)