Yeah I had to go google because I'd never heard of a slow worm either--apparently we don't have them on this continent!

also (from wikipedia): The "slow-" in slowworm is distinct from the English adjective slow ("not fast"); the word comes from Old English slāwyrm, where slā- means 'earthworm' or 'slowworm' and wyrm means "serpent, reptile"

so that's neat!