The Bee's Knees

Have you ever heard the expression "The Bee's Knees" and wondered where in the world it came from and what it means? Well originally, in the late 1700's that is, it referred to something small and insignificant, which would seem to make some sense given the size of a bee overall. But in the Roaring Twenties in America socialites adopted this "excellent" phrase and in "flapper speak" it came to mean "the height of excellence" along with other rhythmically and visually entertaining expressions like the "cat's pajamas", the "elephant's instep", the "kipper's knickers", the "snake's hip", the "eel's ankle", and the "cat's whiskers". Only two of these expressions have prevailed over time, "The Cat's Whiskers" and "the Bee's Knees". Is that perhaps because they at least refer to something that does exist? A cat certainly has whiskers, but does a bee really have knees?

Some Google research revealed that a bee carries pollen back to the hive in sacs on its legs called corbiculae, a.k.a. pollen baskets, and these pollen baskets are located on the central part of its legs (the tibiae). That certainly sounded close enough to be considered a knee, but we wanted confirmation so two investigative photographers were charged with finding out - do bees really have knees? Take a look and let us know what do you think. Do bees have knees or, at the end of the day, is it just plain fun to say "It's the bee's knees"?

 Photos by Peter Tooker and Sarah Ward
Music: The James Bond Theme by John Barry from the Album The Bee's Knees

 

Comments

[frannie]

great job Claudia, Sally, and Peter!

[Paul Angotta]

Much fun - my grandmother used to say 'bee's knees' all the time and I found it as humorous then as I do now.

The Roaring 20's - what a time they must have had.

[Bonnie Phinney]

I love it!! Hope you send it to YouTube! It is fabulous - and the music is great! Congrats to ALL of you for a job well done!
Hugs, Bonnie

[carol]

WOW! Very well done. Compliments to Peter, Sally and Claudia. The photography was excellent and the music was perfect

[ally]

This was really beautiful.
It was so amazing to see the bees so close like that and your hydrangea detail is gorgeous (Peter and Sarah)

[Claudia]

THANKS Barbara, we all had fun with this.

[BAFA Studio]

Such cleverness, such wit! I was 'very' curious as to what music you would choose to go with this and literally did LAUGH OUT LOUD when I heard it. Tim even came in to see what was up... Thanks. As to the investigative reporting, excellent work.