Smarter than a beekeeper

Posted by R. Berg on January 19, 2010 at 17:46

In Reply to: Smarter than a beekeeper posted by Richard Webb on January 18, 2010 at 23:01:

: John Wayne playing Davy Crockett in The Alamo, opines that someone is "Smarter than a beekeeper". I found only one similar reference on Google, and none here. Anyone know how to determine the origin of that complimentary phrase?
:
: I have a country friend without much education who is quite smart about beekeeping and farming. It takes diligence to keep those bugs working hard for you and most apiaries are failing due to beetles, mites, sprays, Africanization, loss of habitat.

Just a guess: could it be a pun? Bee stings smart. ~rb