"Busy as a bee" is just one of our expressions that comes from the insect world. (FILE PHOTO)
Expressions From the
World of Bugs
Now,
the VOA Special English program, Words and Their Stories.
There are many American expressions about insects -- like bees,
for example. Bees are known as very hard workers. They always appear to
be busy, moving around their homes, or hives.
So you might say you were as busy
as a bee if you spent your weekend cleaning your house.
In fact, you might say your house was a
beehive of activity if your whole family was helping you clean. You also might say you made
a beeline for something if you went there right away. When we
go to see a movie, my friend always makes a
beeline for the place where they sell popcorn.
Here is
an expression about bees that is not used much any more,
but we like it anyway. We think it was first used in
the nineteen twenties. If something was the best of
its kind, you might say it was the bee's knees. Now,
we admit that we do not know how this expression developed. If fact,
we do not even know if bees have knees!
If your friend cannot stop talking about something because she thinks it
is important, you might say she has a bee in her bonnet. If someone asks you a personal question, you might say "that
is none of your beeswax." This means none of your business.
Speaking of personal questions, there is
an expression people sometimes use when their children ask,
"where do babies come from?" Parents who discuss sex and reproduction say this
is talking about the birds and the bees.
Hornets are bee-like insects that sometimes attack people.
It you are really angry, you might say you are mad as
a hornet. And if you stir up a hornet's nest, you create trouble or problems.
Butterflies are beautiful insects,
but you would not want to have butterflies in your stomach. That means to
be nervous about having to do something, like speaking in front of
a crowd. You would also not want to have ants
in your pants. That is, to be restless and unable to sit still.
Here are some expressions about plain old bugs, another word for insects. If a friend keeps asking you to do something you do not want to do, you might ask him to leave you alone or
"stop bugging me." A friend also might tell you again and again to do something. If so, you might say he put
a bug in your ear.
If you were reading a book in your warm bed on
a cold winter's day, you might say you were snug as
a bug in a rug. And, if you wish someone good night,you might say,
"sleep tight -- don't let the bed bugs bite."
This
VOA Special English program was written by Shelley Gollust.
I'm FaithLapidus.
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