Why do we call a butterfly such?

Answer 1

One common yet erroneous explanation for this word's origin is that it comes from flutterby. What we do know, instead, is that this word is very old (pre-8th century). It was originally buturfliog�, a compound of butere "butter" and fleoge "fly". Why butter? Some suggest that it was due to many butterflies being yellow in color, like butter. Others believe it is based upon the yellow excrement of butterflies. Still others hold to the notion that butterflies were thought to land in kitchens and drink milk or butter left uncovered (this, interestingly, is supported by a German word for butterfly, milchdieb "milk-thief").
From the net.

Answer 2

There is an old European myth that witches stole butter at night in the form of butterflies, but English is one of the few languages to (probably) derive the name from this. Other languages have very poetic names for this beautiful insect (Sommerfugl - Danish, Papillion - French, Schmetterling -German, Farfalla - Italian, Papalotl - Aztec , Borboleta - Portuguese, Kungu-urumu - Swahili) John H

Answer 3

I've never called a butterfly "such", have called one Vincent, though.

Answer 4

Previously, they used to call it flutter-bys. Over time it got interchanged and came to be called butterfly because of its delicate nature.
Just like it used to be ick name, later it became nickname.

Answer 5

Well of course I get the "fly" part, but the "butter" part, don't get it! But if you think about it, it flies through the air as smooth as butter. Or maybe because it's as soft as butter?
Don't really know, but darn it, you got me all curious now!! (lol)

Answer 6

maybe coz the 1st time a butterfly was ever seen it was sitting on a stick of butter....... i dont know.......

Answer 7

Because they flutter by.

Answer 8

cause they taste like butter, and they are soft so you can spread them easily...

Answer 9

idk........it glides through the air like a knife through butter....would be my guess

Answer 10

because they flutterby