Buzzing through the archives
Posted by R. Berg on October 17, 2001
In Reply to: The Birds and the Bees posted by masakim on October 17, 2001
: : What is the origin of the phrase "the birds and the bees?" What does it mean?
: birds and
the bees, the
: A euphemism for sex education, especially when taught informally.
For example, It's time Father told the children about the birds and the bees.
Cole Porter alluded to this expression in his witty song, "Let's Do It, Let's
Fall in Love," when he noted that birds, bees, even educated fleas fall
in love. This idiom alludes to sexual behavior in animals to avoid explicit explanation
of human behavior. [Second half of 1800s]
: From The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer
: Birds do it, bees do it,
: Even
educated fleas do it,
: Let's do it, let's fall in love.
: --Cole Porter,
"Let's Do It"
A little more on "birds and bees" can be found by typing "birds" into the Search box. The link below (www.phrases.org.uk bulletin_board 7 messages 79.html) goes to one of the previous posts.