2007-09-12 01:07:52 · 16 answers · asked by Danny D 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
you're right it could be the wasp's nipples or any other insects erogenous zones
2007-09-12 01:11:30 · answer #1 · answered by thegrovesofdoubt 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's a pun on "the business" from the 1920s. Not sure why we use it. Just for fun, I guess. Puns are fun.
As you know it means something excellent, outstanding.
We had strawberry shortcake for breakfast on Saturday and the kids thought it was the bee’s knees.
A bee's "corbiculae", or pollen-baskets, are located on its
tibiae (midsegments of its legs). The phrase "the bee's knees",
meaning "the height of excellence", became popular in the U.S. in
the 1920s, along with "the cat's whiskers" (possibly from the use
of these in radio crystal sets), "the cat's pajamas" (pyjamas were
still new enough to be daring), and similar phrases which made less
sense and didn't endure: "the eel's ankle", "the elephant's
instep", "the snake's hip". Stories in circulation about the
phrase's origin include: "b's and e's", short for "be-alls and
end-alls"; and a corruption of "business".
2007-09-12 01:13:20 · answer #2 · answered by ghouly05 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because it rhymes and has a nice ring to it - 'zzz' sounds are good. I think it's because bees don't really have 'knees', so if you find a bee with knees, it'd make them special - hence the saying. Like 'the cat's pyjamas' - cats don't need pyjamas so if you saw one wearing some, you'd be impressed...in theory.
2007-09-12 01:12:28 · answer #3 · answered by tilly 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bees carry pollen back to the hive in sacs on their legs. The allusion is to the concentrated goodness to be found around the bee's knee. ..one of many exlanations that are given about this phrase i wont even try to type them all. x
2007-09-12 01:16:10 · answer #4 · answered by lindsey 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its something to do with the word "business" I think rather than bees knees. E.g. that new car does the business.
Just an hunch and guess though!!!
2007-09-12 01:10:27 · answer #5 · answered by Nicola 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have lived in the UK for over 60 years, born here. I have never heard or seen the expression "Flipping the bird", but I do know the gesture from having seen the gesture.
2016-05-17 21:10:49 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/the-bees-knees.html
2007-09-12 01:18:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sadly I can't answer your question with any certainty, but tabulator32 - the expression Buffalo Wings is supposedly because Buffalo, USA was the first place to invent/popularise those kind of chicken wings, with that particular style of spicy coating, etc. and the name caught on.
2007-09-12 01:20:24 · answer #8 · answered by gsp100677 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I dont know actually!
Surely bees don't have knees!
2007-09-12 01:11:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's a corruption of the original phrase 'the b's and e's. Meaning the Be all and End all of anything. The best.
2007-09-12 01:12:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know but I prefer the badger's nadgers anyway
2007-09-12 01:18:20 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋