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Usenet Posted 22 years ago
Learning
Butterfly
Someone say the word "butterfly" comes from "flutters by". I think it is an interesing way to make a word.
And "dragonfly". Does it in any way resembol a dragon?
And "dragonfly". Does it in any way resembol a dragon?
Top answer
[nq:1]Someone say the word "butterfly" comes from "flutters by". [/nq] It may be interesting, but it's not true. Butterfly is derived from the Old English "buttorfleoge".
- [nq:1]Someone say the word "butterfly" comes from "flutters by".
- [/nq] It may be interesting, but it's not true.
- Butterfly is derived from the Old English "buttorfleoge".
- There are currently three schools of thought for the origin of this word: (1) butterflies (or witches disguised as butterflies) consume uncovered butter or milk (2) the pale yellow colour of many species' wings suggests the colour of butter (3) the colour of the insects' excrement (a theory based upon the Dutch cognate "boterschijte").
- [nq:1]And "dragonfly".
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6 Answers
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[nq:1]Someone say the word "butterfly" comes from "flutters by". I think it is an interesing way to make a word.[/nq]
It may be interesting, but it's not true. Butterfly is derived from the Old English "buttorfleoge". There are currently three schools of thought for the origin of this word:
(1) butterflies (or witches disguised as butterflies) consume uncovered butter or milk
(2) the p
It may be interesting, but it's not true. Butterfly is derived from the Old English "buttorfleoge". There are currently three schools of thought for the origin of this word:
(1) butterflies (or witches disguised as butterflies) consume uncovered butter or milk
(2) the p
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[nq:1]Someone say the word "butterfly" comes from "flutters by". I think it is an interesing way to make a word. And "dragonfly"[/nq]
That would make "dragonfly" come from "flagon dry", which sounds like someone in need of a drink ...
;-)
David Fisher
That would make "dragonfly" come from "flagon dry", which sounds like someone in need of a drink ...
;-)
David Fisher
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[nq:1]Wow. Very inriching. How about ladybug then?[/nq]
"Ladybug" is probably even more interesting. The term dates is first recorded in 1699. The "lady" part is from "Our Lady", referring to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. "Bug" is obvious. Note, however, that in Britain, the insect is now referred to as "ladybird", since the "bug" part hints at sodomy.
"Ladybug" is probably even more interesting. The term dates is first recorded in 1699. The "lady" part is from "Our Lady", referring to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. "Bug" is obvious. Note, however, that in Britain, the insect is now referred to as "ladybird", since the "bug" part hints at sodomy.
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[nq:2]Wow. Very inriching. How about ladybug then?[/nq]
[nq:1]"Ladybug" is probably even more interesting. The term dates is first recorded in 1699. The "lady" part is from "Our ... Note, however, that in Britain, the insect is now referred to as "ladybird", since the "bug" part hints at sodomy.[/nq]
What's your source for this? Since the word "******" is now a fairly mild swearword in Bri
[nq:1]"Ladybug" is probably even more interesting. The term dates is first recorded in 1699. The "lady" part is from "Our ... Note, however, that in Britain, the insect is now referred to as "ladybird", since the "bug" part hints at sodomy.[/nq]
What's your source for this? Since the word "******" is now a fairly mild swearword in Bri
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[nq:1]What's your source for this? Since the word "******" is now a fairly mild swearword in British English and the word "bug" is used in lots of other contexts I have some doubts. Regards, Einde O'Callaghan[/nq]
For an on-line source, see http://www.etymonline.com/l1etym.htm
For an on-line source, see http://www.etymonline.com/l1etym.htm
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