Monday, July 27, 2015

The Milk Thief

The origin of the word butterfly is not clear. Since the term is pre-8th century we have little to go on. Some people like to think it came from a turn on the words 'flutter by', but that is most likely not the origin. 




Our version comes from the Anglo-Saxon word 'butterfloege' (butere and fleoge) and some guess that a common yellow butterfly was the reason for this name as it reminded them of butter flying.  In Russian they are called 'little soul' and the Ancient Greeks call them 'Psyche' which also means soul. 





Some think the name came from butterfly droppings which are a yellow drop.  One folktale is that witches took the shape of butterflies to steal milk and butter when they came into the house.   Whatever, we do know that their name does not really reflect their beauty or fancy or mysterious metamorphosis each summer.


(Still waiting for that rare Monarch.)

9 comments:

  1. The blue is my favorite.

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  2. My favourite is the blue butterfly, beautiful series.

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  3. No matter the name origin, they are lovely.

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  4. I like it when you use photos as you explain the word origin of butterfly. Word origins are always pretty interesting.

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  5. Beautiful magical creatures.

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  6. You have a lovely and large variety of butterflies.

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  7. Stunning stuff.

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  8. it's hot and dry here with little blooming so not to many butterflies. they were around earlier and will be around later but now...it's just too damn hot and dry.

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  9. Tabor, please forgive me if I posted a picture of yours. Going through old pictures and starting to post. I truly do not remember. If it is yours
    please forgive me...

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