2007-02-09 06:23:43 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
According to Wikipedia, butterfly comes from the Old English word buttorfleoge, which refers to one who steals milk (as butterflies were once thought to do). Some people also believe that butterfly comes either from a contraction of "butter-colored fly" referring to the Brimstone Butterfly or as a switched-up version of flutterby (because they flutter by).
2007-02-09 06:29:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You see, in the world of entomology, many people are lead to believe different things about different insects based on their common names. The common name butterfly, implies that they are Flies which belong to the order (Diptera) however, they actually belong to the order (Lepidoptera) at least flutterbys is a neutral name that is not misleading to anyone not familiar with butterflies. The same is true for many thing like Ladybugs and Junebugs, which are both beetles (Coleoptera) not true bugs order (Hemiptera) as the name would suggest.
I'll share with you a little trick to remembering which names have real meaning and which don't. If the name is all one word for example Mayfly or butterfly, it is not a fly but actually something else.
If the name is two separate words like Hercules Beetle, it is in fact what the name suggests...in this case a beetle and not a mythical strong man.
So from my entomological perspective it would only make sense to call them something other than butterflies which technically they are not because of my above explanation, and Flutterbys is an excellent name.
I hope that backs up your question with some actual science fact!
2007-02-10 03:45:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Butterflies are like cars.
Cars drive on the Parkway - and park on the Driveway
And remember, never (as in never ever) chop up a starfish. If you do each part makes a new starfish. Which is pretty clever for an animal that doesn't even have a head!
.
2007-02-09 06:35:54 · answer #3 · answered by james 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
butterfly's are called butterfly's because the wings are as soft as butter
2007-02-09 08:09:39 · answer #4 · answered by Jennifer B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the theory that 'butterfly' is a spoonerism from the be conscious 'flutterby' is usual, yet in fact it comes from the Dutch be conscious 'buttorfleoge'. curiously there became a theory that the bugs drank milk - which provides the link to butter.
2016-10-01 21:08:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I heard that the first person to discover them called them "flutterbys" but when it came time to name them, the person documenting it got mixed up and called them "butterfliles"
2007-02-09 15:13:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are fireflies made of fire? Would fruitflies make a tasty dessert? Can you saddle a horsefly?
2007-02-09 06:33:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why are you called El Frijolero if you are not a bean flinger?
2007-02-09 06:28:03 · answer #8 · answered by Jerry P 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yeah, they should be called FLUTTERflies huh?
2007-02-09 06:32:40 · answer #9 · answered by boz4425 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
for the same reason they call girlscout cookies girl scout cookies
2007-02-09 06:32:54 · answer #10 · answered by john c 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋