My husband, who always has interesting tidbits of information to share, told Abbey and me that these were originally known as a Flutterbies - now isn't that just a perfect name for them?! The name was later switched to Butterfly.
(Be sure to read Tadd's comments - very interesting!)
4 comments:
Definition of flutterby :.
(flŭt'ər-bī)
1. (n.) A butterfly.
Origins: Defined by describing what it does, especially in the garden as it travels from flower to flower.
Submitted by: Anonymous, Topics: Nature & Wildlife
2. (n.) Children's word for a butterfly.
Example: "Ooh, look at the litt'l flutterby!"
Notes: Also: bu-fly.
Submitted by: Anonymous, Topics: Nature & Wildlife
Another explanation.....
spoon�er�ism (sp�nə-rĭz'əm)
n.
A transposition of sounds of two or more words, especially a ludicrous one, such as Let me sew you to your sheet for Let me show you to your seat.
Is it obvious that I am caughtup with my work this morning?
WORD HISTORY Is a butterfly named for the color of its excrement or because it was thought to steal butter? It is hard to imagine that anyone ever noticed the color of butterfly excrement or believed the insect capable of such theft. The first suggestion rests on the fact that an early Dutch name for the butterfly was boterschijte. The second is based on an old belief that the butterfly was really a larcenous witch in disguise.
Thanks for saving me the research time, Tadd - you're the best! Now I have to correct the spelling...
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