“The hum of the bees is the voice of the garden.”
-Elizabeth Lawrence
Bees are one of the most useful and productive insects to the world and to mankind. Besides providing honey, they are also responsible for about 80% of crop and plant pollination. Bees are the true Wildcatters of the insect world. They lead by example, they are hard working, diligent, loyal, protective, and extremely productive.
Bees take care of business and their business is gathering nectar, which provides pollination and helps create honey for the entire hive. Many bee references have buzzed their way into our lexicon. Here are a few of our favorite bee idioms:
- “Busy as a bee” – Refers to being highly productive and focused, like bees.
- Queen Bee – The hive only has one Queen and she is the royal boss, so this refers to the dominant female who has authority or dominant position.
- Bee’s knees – Since bees flit from flower to flower, the sweet nectar sticks to their legs and knees. This refers to something or someone who is highly desirable or exceptionally great.
- “Birds & the bees” – This expression is a euphemism for sex education.
- “A bee in one’s bonnet” – This is a term for preoccupation with an idea or thought, like bees are focused on their jobs.
- “None of your beeswax” – Slang from the Roaring Twenties for “none of your business”.
- “Make a bee line” – This is a reference for going straight to the point or desired purpose, in reference to bees going straight back to the hive instinctively.