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Benedict Arnold

Why are butterflies called butterflies?

Do they have milk that we can churn into butter? If so, could we breed them and keep them in butterfly dairies? How would we milk them?  Would they need udders?

Posted - March 30, 2017
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Responses


  • 44604
    I have been calling the "flutterbyes" for many years. Makes sense...They flutter bye.
      March 30, 2017 5:50 AM MDT
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  • Much more sensible, 99. You are truly a man of great perspicacity. :)
      March 30, 2017 11:59 AM MDT
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  • Hi Didge,
    Well I did some research for you here...turns out the name 'butterfly' derives from Olde English.
    And then, there are species in England that are such a beautiful butter yellow...this one below is a migratory species called Clouded Yellow.
    The other idea I found was that it may have been a common belief that they stole butter!

      March 30, 2017 9:42 AM MDT
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  • I think it was in Stranger in a Strange Land that Heinlein described a butterfly as it would appear to somebody who had never before seen one. I'd always thought them beautiful but his description was one of wonder. Very cleverly done. 
      March 30, 2017 12:01 PM MDT
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  • Oh my goodness...and I re-read STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND when we were on Ask, too...
    You have a wonderful memory, Dear Dozy!
      March 30, 2017 2:13 PM MDT
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  • 2052
    I call them flutter-byes.
      March 30, 2017 10:24 AM MDT
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  • Much more apt, Sunshine. :) 
      March 30, 2017 12:02 PM MDT
    1