The birds and the bees" (sometimes expanded to "the birds, the bees and the butterflies" or "the birds, the bees, the flowers, and the trees") is an idiomatic expression which refers to courtship and sex, and is usually used in reference to teaching someone about sex and pregnancy. The phrase is evocative of the metaphors and euphemisms often used to avoid speaking openly and technically about the subject.
According to some, the birds and the bees is a metaphorical story sometimes told to children in an attempt to explain the mechanics and consequence of sexual intercourse. According to that story, a baby is created when a bee stings a bird. In some cases the choice of birds and bees may be because they provide a ready metaphor for insemination (pollination) and childbirth (hatching).
"Word sleuths William and Mary Morris hint that it may have been inspired by words like these from the poet Samuel Coleridge: 'All nature seems at work ... The bees are stirring--birds are on the wing ... and I the while, the sole unbusy thing, not honey make, nor pair, nor build, nor sing.' " [1]
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_birds_and_the_bees"
2007-08-31 05:21:33
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answer #1
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answered by iammom1 5
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It is another way of saying Sex. Basically it is a way of saying you are going to discuss sex and sexual relationships between a man and a woman with a younger child without just blurting out "I am going to tell you about sex today junior".
2007-08-31 12:20:53
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answer #2
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answered by Luxord 2
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The talk that parents in America give to their kids about sex, and how reproduction occurs.
2007-08-31 12:20:58
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answer #3
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answered by Brian L 7
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It is a reference to knowing about sex.
2007-08-31 12:24:19
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answer #4
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answered by Wolfithius 4
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sex
2007-08-31 12:24:33
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answer #5
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answered by d.ylover 2
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sex
2007-08-31 12:23:43
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answer #6
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answered by 1PRINCESS 2
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sex
2007-08-31 12:23:20
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answer #7
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answered by CHELIFAN24 THE CUP IS HOME!!!!!! 4
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