★★☆Words and Their Stories: Insect Expressions

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Vocabulary

*Read the words carefully.

1. Hive /hīv/ (n.) a man-made home for bees
2. Beeline /ˈbēˌlīn/ (n.) a very direct or quick path or trip
3. Beeswax /ˈbēzˌwaks/ (n.) Substance made by bees to build the walls of their honeycomb.
4. Snug /snəg/ (v.) place (something) safely
5. Bonnet /ˈbänit/ (n.) A type of hat, once worn by women or children, held in place by ribbons tied under the chin; hood or cap

Article

Words and Their Stories: Insect Expressions

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(1) There are many American expressions about insects — like bees, for example. Bees are known as very hard workers. They always appear to be busy, moving around in their homes, or hives. So you might say you were as busy as a bee if you spent your weekend cleaning your house.

(2) In fact, you might say your house was a beehive of activity if your whole family was helping you clean. You also might say you made a beeline for something if you went there right away. When we go to see a movie, my friend always makes a beeline for the place where they sell popcorn.

(3) Here is an expression about bees that is not used much any more, but we like it anyway. We think it was first used in the nineteen twenties. If something was the best of its kind, you might say it was the bee’s knees. Now, we admit that we do not know how this expression developed. In fact, we do not even know if bees have knees!

(4) If your friend cannot stop talking about something because she thinks it is important, you might say she has a bee in her bonnet. If someone asks you a personal question, you might say “that is none of your beeswax.” This means none of your business.

(5) Speaking of personal questions, there is an expression people sometimes use when their children ask, “where do babies come from?” Parents who discuss sex and reproduction say this is talking about the birds and the bees.

(6) Hornets are bee-like insects that sometimes attack people. If you are really angry, you might say you are mad as a hornet. And if you stir up a hornet’s nest, you create trouble or problems.

(7) Butterflies are beautiful insects, but you would not want to have butterflies in your stomach. That means to be nervous about having to do something, like speaking in front of a crowd. You would also not want to have ants in your pants. That is, to be restless and unable to sit still.

(8) Here are some expressions about plain old bugs, another word for insects. If a friend keeps asking you to do something you do not want to do, you might ask him to leave you alone or “stop bugging me.” A friend also might tell you again and again to do something. If so, you might say he put a bug in your ear.

(9) If you were reading a book in your warm bed on a cold winter’s day, you might say you were snug as a bug in a rug. And if you wish someone good night, you might say, “sleep tight — don’t let the bed bugs bite.”

Discussion

*Let’s talk about the article base on the questions below

1. Have you seen a bee? Are you aware of the importance of this insect?
2. Do you have any similar expressions in Japanese?
3. Do you often hear these expressions nowadays or have you heard those years ago?