The phrase “the birds and the bees” is a well-known idiom in English-speaking cultures, serving as a gentle and indirect way to introduce the concept of reproduction to children. It’s the go-to explanation when parents face the age-old question, “Where do babies come from?” offering a less explicit alternative to detailed biological explanations of sexual intercourse, much like the outdated myth of storks delivering babies. But Why Is It Called The Birds And The Bees?
Unpacking the Phrase: Origins and Interpretations
The exact beginnings of the phrase “the birds and the bees” are shrouded in some mystery, with no definitive record pinpointing its first usage or how it gained widespread popularity. Interestingly, the phrase isn’t necessarily about educating children on the reproductive habits of actual birds and bees. In fact, the link between human sexuality and the natural processes of pollination and egg-laying is rather abstract, potentially causing a bit of confusion for inquisitive young minds.
Typically, the “birds and the bees” narrative draws parallels between bees pollinating flowers, symbolizing male fertilization, and birds laying eggs, representing female ovulation. Variations exist, sometimes even suggesting a baby is created when a bee stings a bird, further highlighting the metaphorical and symbolic nature of the explanation.
According to “The Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins,” as cited by The Los Angeles Times, the phrase’s roots might lie in historical methods of conveying sensitive topics. In past eras, discussions about reproduction were often “presented by analogy — telling how birds do it and trusting that youngsters would get the message by indirection.” This suggests a tradition of using nature as a metaphor for human reproduction, relying on subtle cues rather than direct explanations.
Rufous Shrikethrush perched on a tree, illustrating the 'birds' in the phrase 'the birds and the bees' used to explain reproduction
While the precise genesis remains unclear, several theories propose literary influences. Ed Finegan, a professor emeritus of linguistics and law at the University of Southern California, suggested to The Los Angeles Times in 2000 that the phrase’s emergence as a euphemism for sex likely owes inspiration to specific literary figures.
One prominent figure is Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who separately mentioned birds and bees in his 1825 poem “Work Without Hope.” Finegan argues that Coleridge’s poem, detailed in the following section, unmistakably uses birds and bees to allude to sexual activity. The phrase “birds and bees” also surfaced in a 1644 diary entry by John Evelyn. Published a century after his death, Evelyn’s diary offers valuable insights into 17th-century English life and customs. Finegan speculates that Evelyn’s use of “birds and bees” when describing St. Peter’s Basilica’s interior, within its broader context, subtly refers to human sexuality. It’s conceivable that the publication of Evelyn’s diary may have popularized the phrase among other writers during that period.
“The Birds and the Bees” in Literature and Song
References to “the birds and the bees” as a euphemism for reproduction appear across various forms of media. Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s 1825 poem, “Work Without Hope,” provides an early literary example:
“All Nature seems at work. Slugs leave their lair —
The bees are stirring — birds are on the wing —
And Winter, slumbering in the open air,
Wears on his smiling face a dream of Spring!
And I, the while, the sole unbusy thing,
Nor honey make, nor pair, nor build, nor sing.”
American naturalist John Burroughs used the phrase in his 1875 collection of essays, “Birds and Bees, Sharp Eyes and other Papers.” While intended to provide children with simple nature explanations, it didn’t delve into sex education.
Dr. Emma Frances Angell Drake, in her widely circulated publication “The Story of Life” (1893-1930), utilized “the birds and the bees” in a section explaining reproduction to her young daughters. She employed imagery of robin’s eggs, wind pollination, and bees gathering honey to illustrate the process.
Cole Porter’s 1928 song “Let’s Do It” offers a more explicit reference in its lyrics:
“It is nature, that’s all
Simply telling us to fall in love
And that’s why birds do it, bees do it
Even educated fleas do it
Let’s do it, let’s fall in love”
In 1939, the “Freeport Journal Standard” noted the phrase in a cultural context: “A Frenchman was born sophisticated: he knows about the birds and the bees. In consequence, French films are made on a basis of artistic understanding that does not hamper the story.”
A more contemporary example can be found in “The Simpsons” episode “Homer vs. Patty and Selma” (1995). As Phrases.org.uk points out, Bart Simpson remarks to Milhouse, “The Sun is out, birds are singing, bees are trying to have sex with them — as is my understanding …” showcasing the phrase’s continued relevance in popular culture.
Further Exploration of “The Birds and the Bees”
To delve deeper into the history of “the birds and the bees,” explore this article from World Histories. For guidance on discussing this topic with children at different ages, consult this informative piece from Family Education. And for book recommendations on explaining “the birds and the bees,” check out this article from Maternity & Infant Family.
Bibliography
- The Los Angeles Times
- The Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins (HarperCollins, 1988)
- PoetryFoundation.org
- Gutenberg.org
- Livescience.com
- Genius.com
- Phrases.org.uk
- Wordhistories.net
- Familyeducation.com
- Maternityandinfant.ie
